Powder coating and painted metal: more than a colour choice

Two black metal chairs can look surprisingly different. One has a soft matt surface; the other catches every reflection. The finish changes the character of a piece, but choosing it well means looking beyond the colour chart.

Name the complete finish

Ask the quotation to identify the coating product or system as well as the colour, gloss level, and texture. Powder coating and liquid paint describe broad finishing approaches; neither label alone tells you whether the selected system suits a particular project.

Make comparisons on the same basis. A useful discussion includes the base metal, location, preparation, finish appearance, and care expectations—not simply one price beside the words black paint.

Preparation belongs in the conversation

TIGER’s guidance explains that the substrate and intended environment influence pretreatment. Its aluminium guidance also links inadequate preparation with coating adhesion problems. This is why an attractive sample surface is only part of the specification.

Ask the applicator to confirm the preparation and coating system for the actual frame. Where a primer or additional protection is proposed, have it recorded rather than assuming it is included in every finish.

Approve colour on the real material

View a coated sample with the timber, fabric, or woven material it will sit beside. Check it in daylight and under the room’s lighting. A colour code is useful for recording a selection, but it does not show every difference in sheen or texture.

For gold or champagne effects, be particularly clear about the desired result. A warm metallic appearance is different from a flat yellow colour. Keep the approved physical sample as the reference for the order.

Discuss wear, cleaning, and repair

Ask how the selected finish should be cleaned and what to do if it is scratched or chipped. Discuss likely contact points, such as chair feet, stacking locations, and the edges used when moving a table.

Do not assume a local touch-up will disappear into the original surface. Ask the maker what repair result is realistic for the exact coating and whether components can be removed if more extensive refinishing is needed.