When it comes to industrial sheet metal fabrication and control panels, the choice of finish isn’t just cosmetic — it can have a major impact on durability, compliance, and overall project cost. Powder coating and liquid painting are the two most common finishing methods, each with distinct strengths, limitations, and application considerations.
For procurement professionals, project managers, and sourcing teams, understanding the differences between these finishes is essential for selecting a partner who can meet both performance requirements and regulatory standards. In this blog, we’ll break down the processes, highlight how each finish performs over time, examine compliance considerations such as UL 508A and NEMA ratings, and explore what these factors mean for sourcing and long-term reliability.
What’s the Difference Between Powder Coating and Painting?
Powder coating and liquid painting are both widely used to protect and finish sheet metal, but they differ in application, curing, and performance. Powder coating involves electrostatically applying dry powder to a metal surface, then curing it under heat to form a hard, uniform layer. Liquid painting, in contrast, uses a wet paint applied via spray or brush and typically requires multiple coats and longer curing times.
From an environmental perspective, powder coating is often preferred in industrial applications because it produces minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), while traditional painting can release VOCs that require ventilation and regulatory compliance. Understanding these differences helps procurement teams select a finish that meets project, environmental, and compliance goals.
Durability and Performance: Which Finish Holds Up Better?
Durability is a key factor when evaluating powder coating vs. painting. Powder-coated surfaces are highly resistant to corrosion, chipping, abrasion, and UV exposure, making them ideal for outdoor or harsh environments.
Liquid-painted finishes, on the other hand, can offer excellent color options and smooth aesthetics, but they may require additional layers, primers, or maintenance to achieve the same level of protection. For sectors where long-term performance and minimal maintenance are critical, powder coating often provides a lower-risk, longer-lasting solution.
Compliance Considerations for Regulated Industries
For regulated industries, the finish on a sheet metal enclosure or control panel is mostly about compliance. Certain telecom, utility, and industrial applications demand enclosures that meet NEMA, UL 50, or UL 508A standards. Improper finishes can compromise certification, reduce service life, or increase liability.
At Fralo, our experience with regulated sectors ensures that finish choices align with certification requirements. Our in-house powder coating and UL-certified panel builds provide consistency, traceability, and documentation that simplify audits, inspections, and approval processes for procurement and engineering teams. And we’re ISO 9001:2015 certified, ensuring consistent quality and processes at all times.
Cost, Lead Times, and Efficiency: Procurement-Specific Considerations
Procurement teams must weigh not just upfront cost, but total cost of ownership, including labor, lead time, and maintenance. Powder coating can offer savings in the long run by providing a more durable finish with fewer touch-ups and longer intervals between maintenance cycles.
When powder coating is handled in-house, as it is at Fralo, lead times are shorter and vendor coordination is simplified. Instead of sending parts to a separate finishing provider, project teams benefit from integrated engineering, fabrication, and finishing under one roof, reducing potential delays and streamlining procurement logistics.
Choosing the Right Finish for Performance and Compliance
Selecting the right finish is more than an aesthetic decision. It directly impacts durability, regulatory compliance, and long-term cost of ownership. Understanding the tradeoffs between powder coating and painting ensures that sheet metal components and control panels perform as intended in demanding environments such as utility infrastructure, telecom, and industrial applications.
Fralo’s in-house powder coating and full-service fabrication capabilities give OEMs, utilities, and industrial customers a streamlined path from design to delivery. With engineering support, UL-certified panel builds, and integrated finishing under one roof, we help you achieve reliable, compliant enclosures while keeping lead times and vendor coordination under control. Contact us today to get started on your next production run with an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer.