Finishings
Finishing touches to make your bespoke metalwork projects stand out and last for years to come.
Custom Steel Finishes Gallery
Custom Steel Finishes Norwich Norfolk
The term ‘finishings’ refers to the application of a protective coating to bare steel. We can supply bare steel products if you wish to hand-paint your product. Certainly – some customers prefer the hand-painted finish.
We would always recommend a coating whether you choose to hand-paint or apply a professional finish, but what happens if you choose not to?
When the iron particles within the steel are exposed to oxygen and moisture it begins to corrode and rust begins to form. Corrosion can occur at variable rates, depending on what environment it is in.
The formation of rust should not be confused with ‘weathered steel’ (formally known as Corten steel). Corten steel is extremely robust and maintains its structural strength, whilst the surface has been subject to controlled oxidisation. It gives the appearance of a unique and rustic finish. Corten steel is a material we work with, so if you are interested in this finish please let us know.
Before our products leave our workshop to coating, we ensure they are as ‘clean’ as possible. The coaters will then undertake their own preparation processes in addition to ensure optimum adhesion and coverage.
RAL Colours
‘RAL’ is a German administered European colour matching system, which outlines colour options for paints and coatings. We will use a ‘RAL Chart’ to determine the desired colour. The colour is assigned a recognised code which is then used to place the order at the powder-coaters. You can easily find small tins of metal and sprays with a RAL reference in your local DIY store.
The RAL chart has an entire spectrum of colours. Depending on the purpose of your project, you may need a brighter or primary colour rather than the traditional black or grey. Please note, some of these particular colours may incur increased charges depending on the availability of our suppliers.
Galvanising
Galvanising offers premium protection to a product. The metal is ‘dipped’ into a zinc coating, the properties of which are known for its resistance even in aggressive environments offering decades free of maintenance. This protection is particularly suitable for coastal projects.
Unfortunately, powder-coating does not adhere very easily to galvanised products. Though it can and is done, we advise our customers there is an increased risk of chipping. It is always an option to hand paint your product after a period of oxidisation – which has been left to either occur naturally over time or forced by a chemical process.
Powder Coating
Powder coating is a chemical process involving the application of dry powder to a product before applying heat – effectively ‘baking’.
As with most paint applications, a ‘powder-primed’ option is available. This layer of primer gives a base, protective coat before the colour is added. We would always recommend having a primer applied for any products to be installed outside for maximum weather protection. You can choose to ‘skip’ the priming step, which is certainly suitable for internal projects.
We highly recommend a satin and matt finish for powder-coating, but we can also offer gloss or textured paint.
All of the above options can be explored in more detail during your site survey. We will gladly explain the advantages and disadvantages to each and we will be able to offer advice on the ideal finishing.
