What Is Powder Coated Furniture?

You may or may not have heard about it before, but what is powder coated furniture and, more importantly, why might you choose it for your restaurant’s patio?

Powder coating is a quick way to get intense, saturated colors on furniture (usually metal furniture). Similar to spray painting, but more durable, powder coating uses a polyester-based coating to give your furniture a surface that’s less prone to nicks, scratches, and other types of wear and tear that happens with regular use. As such, powder coated patio furniture is a popular choice for restaurants, providing rich color that can stand up to the rigors of everyday business.

The process of powder coating is pretty simple. The coating is applied to the furniture and then cured with heat. This creates a thermal reaction that sets the coating for a hard finish. The result is richly colored metal furniture that keeps its appearance and integrity for a very long time.

Paint vs. Powder Coating

There are a lot of reasons to go with powder coated outdoor furniture instead of painted outdoor furniture. While at first glance (and before first use) powder coated and painted metal furniture may look quite similar, there’s no comparison when it comes to how the furniture looks over time. Paint is susceptible to damage from the elements and is quick to chip and rust. Powder coating, on the other hand, is corrosion resistant and highly durable. For that reason alone, we generally recommend powder coating as the preferred choice over paint.

In terms of appearance, powder coated colors tend to pop more than painted colors, since they can be applied in thicker layers. Powder coating also offers superior color retention to painting, and you won’t have to worry about the color fading in the sun.

What Kinds of Materials Can You Powder Coat?

While powder coated wrought iron patio furniture and other powder coated metal pieces are what you’ll see most commonly, powder coating can actually be applied to a wide range of different materials—including wood, glass, and plastic. Because of the high heat curing process though, powder coating cannot be applied to any material that might melt at such elevated temperatures, such as any furniture with rubber on it.

Maintaining Powder Coated Furniture

Keeping your restaurant’s powder coated furniture looking its best is easy. Clean as necessary using a lint-free rag dipped in cool soapy water. You can also hose your powder coated furniture down and rinse with cold water. It’s important to avoid cleaning powder coated furniture with hot water since this can cause the finish to oxidize and potentially rust. Avoid using any chemicals on the surface, too—water and mild soap are generally all that you need to get the job done.

Shop Premium Outdoor Furniture at Bistro Tables and Bases!

At Bistro Tables and Bases, we make it easy to find the high-quality furniture that you need for your restaurant. Shop our wide selection, including premier metal and wood furniture that’s perfect for powder coating. Whatever your vision, we’ll help you bring it to life.

Need some design assistance? We’re here to help. Get in touch with our team today and work with a design expert to select the right furniture for your indoor or outdoor space. We specialize in commercial and restaurant furniture and have decades of experience ensuring that our customers get the exact look that they want.