What is Powder Coating

The Powder Coating Research Group, defnes powder coating as “an industrial coating that is applied
electrostatically as dry particles to a conductive surface of an article.”
More technically, powder coating is an advanced method of applying a protective and decorative fnish to virtually any type of metal.
According to the Powder Coating Institute, powder coatings are based on polymer resin systems combined with curatives, pigments,
leveling agents, flow modifers, and other additives. These ingredients are melted, mixed, cooled, and ground into a uniform powder
similar in texture to baking flour.1 The flour-like powder is then electrostatically sprayed onto the surface of a material. The charged powder
particles adhere to the electrically grounded surfaces until the powder is heated and fused into a smooth coating in the curing oven. The
result is a uniform, durable, high-quality, and attractive fnish.
The light poles produced by DWM Holdings brand companies are most often fnished with a state-of-the-art powder coating process.
This particular powder coating system, discussed beginning on page 3, leverages the latest technological advances in paint fnishing and
provides a number of benefts.

How Powder Coating Works

Powder is electrostatically applied to a surface using positive and negative charges. “The light pole has a positive charge while the
powder has a negative charge,” says Bob Wesch, DWM Holdings Chief Operating Ofcer. Once electrically drawn to the pole the powder
is then cured in an oven. Each powder coating variety requires a different temperature and length of time in the oven in order to bond to
the surface appropriately.

Powder Coating Process

All of the light poles produced by DWM Holdings have the option of undergoing a stateof-the-art, multi-stage, powder coating process. This process varies depending on the
material being coated and the warranty selected. DWM Holdings has two separate paint
lines; one paint line is used for aluminum poles and the second paint line is used for steel
poles.