Thermal Spray (Metalizing)

Metalizing – The Ultimate in Corrosion Protection!

Thermal Spray AKA, Metalizing.

Have you ever tried to paint over Hot-Dipped Galvanizing? What a mess! After grinding away all the splatters and drips, you then have to Brush-sandblast the part to get your top coat paint (or powder) to stick. Galvanizing has it’s place, but it’s just not made to be painted over. This is why Thermal Spray Metalizing is the ultimate protection against rust and corrosion. This technique of literally spraying molten metal (or Zinc, or aluminum, or stainless steel, or copper) onto a sandblasted part has been around for nearly 100 years. The process begins with a specialized, hand-held spray gun which pulls, for example, Zinc wire through the back of the gun to the front where a powerful flame (torch) melts the wire instantly and, with intense air, blows the molten Zinc onto the surface of the part as if you were spray painting. CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO OF THE PROCESS IN ACTION.

Galvanizing vs Metalizing

Hot-dipped galvanizing is messy: Often the part comes out with drips, splatters and extreme unevenness.

To paint or powder over this, one must spend time grinding, sanding and prepping the part. Once all this is done, the galvanized part must be brush- sandblasted in order for the new coating to adhere.

Metalizing: A consistent, smooth finish that feels a little like fine sandpaper and will readily accept any coating without any further time consuming prepping.

Galvanizing: Many times the Galvanized coating itself will peel off. This is due to lack of preparation of the steel or aluminum. In the Hot-Dipped process, the part is dipped into a Vat of molten Zinc. Prior to dipping, the parts are rarely sandblasted, thus the Zinc coating often fails prematurely.

Metalizing: In the Metalizing process, all parts MUST be sandblasted prior to coating, thus ensuring a strong bond between the part and the coating.

Galvanizing can only be done in house. The part to be galvanized must be coated in a galvanizing facility making touch-up’s on the job site difficult.

Metalizing can be performed anywhere. At our facility or at the job site.

Like Galvanizing, Metalizing can be applied as a stand alone coating (no top coat) BUT, if your project calls for Hot dipped galvanizing with a top coat color . . . you should Metalize instead!

Thermal Spray Metalizing is fast becoming the preferred choice for the ultimate protection.

AIC utilizes multiple wire spray combustion Metalizing guns. And these guns really move! Coating a 40ft I -Beam in under 40 minutes! Thats faster than HD galvanizing. The combination of Metalizing & powder coating, or liquid spray, provides an unrivaled barrier between your part and the harsh elements wanting to defeat it. Check out our video of Metalizing in action