What Is Electrostatic Painting?

March 10, 2024

Electrostatic spray painting is a process similar to powder coating, but with some key advantages that can make it an excellent choice for many applications, particularly those where powder coating might be problematic.

What Is Electrostatic Painting?

Electrostatic painting and powder coating work similarly to the magic of physics we recognize when static electricity makes a balloon stick to a wall. An extremely durable finish is made through the extremely strong bond created when the positively charged ions in the paint are attracted to a negatively charged surface to be painted. The processes differ where powder coating must be heat-cured at high temperatures while electrostatic painting uses a liquid paint that requires only time to dry.

Benefits of Electrostatic Painting

While powder coating may offer a slightly more durable finish due to the heat-curing bond, electrostatic painting has many advantages over powder coating and other painting techniques:


  • Portability — Electrostatic painting can be performed on-site, making this process a game-changer for parts and equipment too large or risky to transport, those which would be problematic to disassemble and reassemble, and those with parts which would not tolerate the heat of the powder coating curing process.
  • Time Savings — Not only are electrostatically painted items ready for use in a matter of hours, the ability to paint on-site minimizes the downtime and disruption of transporting parts to and from the coating facility.
  • Minimal Waste —The electrostatic bond attracts the paint as it is sprayed, meaning there's little to no overspray, keeping the process cleaner and saving on material costs.
  • Smooth, Uniform Coat —The electrostatic bond also helps to ensure a very smooth, even coat without the runs, bubbles, or drips that can arise with traditional painting methods.
  • Durability — Nearly as durable as powder coating, the ionic bonds between the paint and the metal surface underneath it create a long-lasting surface that will stand up to use and the elements.


At Precision Dip Coating, we bring years of experience in coating and molding plastics, using our expertise and knowledge to serve industries from medical and automotive to military and aerospace and more, all without outsourcing. Contact us today to learn more about our electrostatic painting and other coating and molding capabilities.

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