Wet Spray Process

Wet paint is the ‘traditional’ process of applying liquid paint to a metal product for finishing. The part is first shot-blasted, with small abrasive particles propelled toward the surface to provide a thoroughly clean substrate for the wet painting. Once the surface has been prepared, the liquid paint is applied using a spray, pump or pressurised vessel to deliver it evenly. It is applied until the product is evenly coated with the desired thickness, usually 15-20µm.

Our wet spray meets the ACT (Accelerated Corrosion Test) ASTMD1654 standards and has passed 240hrs salt spray.

Benefits of wet spray:

  • Wet spray painting is particularly useful for large, heavy or awkwardly shaped objects that cannot be hung for powder coating.
  • The process is very efficient for large components.
  • It is a cost-effective finish, significantly more economical than some alternatives – particularly for low production runs.
  • Colour selection is practically infinite, providing the opportunity to match branding or aesthetic requirements. Toning is very precise, making colour matching a possibility.
  • It can be applied to a range of materials and is ideally suited to heat-sensitive parts that cannot be powder coated.
  • The paint applied is a much thinner coating than other processes, which may benefit lightweight or precision parts.
  • Wet spray painting allows you to air-dry or bake your product for finishing.
  • It is possible to achieve a variety of gloss levels and paint textures, applying them consistently for a high-quality finish across the entire surface area.

Limitations of wet spray:

  • The process itself is not as efficient; powder-coating typically has a transfer efficiency of 60-70%, whereas wet spray is approximately 30-35%.
  • It is less environmentally friendly due to the chemicals in the paint.
  • The thinner coat of wet spray paint means that it is not as durable as powder coating.
  • It may require multiple coats to achieve an even surface finish.