Powder coating steel: durable protection and aesthetics

9 October 2025

SealteQ

Steel

When steel needs to be protected long-term and simultaneously given an attractive finish, powder coating is often an excellent solution. SealteQ offers a wide range of specialized services for steel treatment and, where necessary, collaborates with trusted partners to apply powder coating.

On this page, you can read all about the properties, applications, advantages, and alternatives of powder coating on steel, and what SealteQ can do for you in this regard.
In this article, we explain what hot-dip galvanizing of steel entails, what challenges are involved, what alternatives and combinations are possible – and how SealteQ can help with a sustainable total solution.

Powder coating is a technique where an electrostatically charged powder is sprayed onto metal surfaces. This technique is widely applied to steel due to its excellent protection against corrosion, oxidation, and rust formation. The process is solvent-free, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wet paints. Furthermore, it contributes to a longer product lifespan and a low-maintenance result.

Please note: Although SealteQ does not have its own powder coating installation or powder coating booth, we do apply this technique in collaboration with our trusted partners.

Powder coating offers a combination of functional and aesthetic benefits. Through electrostatic spraying, the powder adheres well to steel, after which heat treatment (curing in an oven) transforms it into a hard, durable layer. This thermal process results in:

High corrosion protection
Excellent wear resistance
High weather resistance and UV resistance
Increased impact resistance
A wide range of RAL colors for maximum color choice
A high-quality decorative finish with an industrial finish level

Powder coating results in low maintenance requirements and a long lifespan. This makes it widely applicable in various sectors. Some common applications include:

Fences and balustrades for indoor and outdoor use
Pipes and profiles for structural and visible elements
Machines and components in mechanical engineering
Furniture and interior applications within the furniture industry
Facade components in the construction sector

Although powder coating offers many advantages, there are situations where alternative techniques for steel preservation are more suitable:

Wet painting (liquid coating): Suitable for large or complex objects that do not fit in an oven. Can be applied to materials sensitive to high temperatures and is easier to touch up or repair on-site.
Metallization (thermal spraying): Offers excellent corrosion protection, especially in aggressive environments. Can be combined with other coatings for additional protection.
Fire-resistant coatings: Slow down the heating of steel during a fire, thereby preserving structural integrity longer.
Solvent-free coatings (hot-spray): Fast curing and suitable for applications where solvents are undesirable.
Wrapping tapes (e.g., Stopaq, Kebu): Ideal for underground pipelines and hard-to-reach places. Easy to apply without extensive surface preparation.
Hot-dip galvanizing: Hot-dip galvanizing steel offers long-term corrosion protection by immersing steel in molten zinc (approx. 450 °C), creating a strong zinc-iron alloy.
Duplex system: Hot-dip galvanizing and powder coating are often combined in a duplex system, where the zinc layer protects the steel against corrosion and the powder coating protects the zinc layer against external influences.

When Do You Choose which Technique?

Application	Recommended technique
Aesthetic finish	Powder coating – Provides a hard, wear-resistant, and aesthetically attractive finish in various colors.
Large or complex structures	Wet painting – Suitable for objects that do not fit in an oven; easy to touch up on-site.
Extreme corrosion protection	Metallization (thermal spraying) – Excellent protection in aggressive environments; can be combined with other coatings.
Fire safety	Fire-resistant coatings – Slow down the heating of steel during a fire, thereby preserving structural integrity longer.
Underground pipelines	Wrapping tapes (e.g., Stopaq, Kebu) – Ideal for underground pipelines and hard-to-reach places; easy to apply without extensive surface preparation.
Solvent-free applications	Solvent-free coatings (hot-spray) – Fast curing and suitable for applications where solvents are undesirable.
Durable outdoor protection	Hot-dip galvanizing – Offers long-term corrosion protection by immersing steel in molten zinc (approx. 450 °C), creating a strong zinc-iron alloy.
Maximum lifespan and aesthetics	Duplex system – Combination of hot-dip galvanizing and powder coating; offers superior protection and aesthetics, with a lifespan up to 2.5 times longer than individual applications.

SealteQ offers a wide range of mobile and specialized services for the surface treatment of steel. These include:

Mobile blasting
Dust-free blasting with sponge-jet technology (efficient and environmentally friendly)
Metallization
Brushing and/or airless, hot airless spraying
Application of single or multi-layer coating systems
Fire-retardant coating systems (30, 60 or 90 minutes)
Solvent-free coatings with hot-spray equipment (e.g., tank and pipeline preservation)

We carry out these activities with our own mobile blasting units, metallization equipment, spraying equipment, shielding systems, extraction units, and generators. Our teams are active throughout the Netherlands and perform blasting and coating work on bridges, locks, and steel structures, among others.

Although we do not perform powder coating ourselves, we work closely with specialized partners when powder coating is the best solution. In such cases, SealteQ ensures a smooth integration of this technique into the project, including planning, coordination, and quality assurance. In addition to surface treatment of steel, SealteQ also removes chromium 6 from paint layers of structures, so they no longer pose a risk to human health and the environment.

Can I Powder Coat Galvanized Steel?

Yes, you can. Powder coating on galvanized steel requires proper pre-treatment to prevent adhesion problems. This combination, known as the duplex system, offers both corrosion protection and an aesthetic finish.

Which Metals Cannot be Powder Coated?

Metals that cannot withstand the high curing temperatures (approx. 180 – 200 °C) or are insufficiently pre-treated are less suitable for powder coating. Soft, low-melting metals or surfaces without proper pre-treatment can cause adhesion problems.

Is Powder-Coated Steel Better than Galvanized Steel?

Both have their advantages. Powder coating offers a hard, wear-resistant, and aesthetically attractive finish, while galvanizing provides excellent corrosion protection. The combination of both, the duplex system, delivers the best protection and durability.

What is more Expensive, Galvanizing or Powder Coating?

Costs vary depending on the object and complexity. Generally, powder coating is more expensive than galvanizing. For example, industrial-scale powder coating costs approximately €15 – €20 per m², while galvanizing is usually billed per kilogram and is typically cheaper.

How Long Does Powder Coating Last on Steel?

The lifespan of a powder coating on steel typically ranges between 15 and 20 years, depending on factors such as the quality of the coating, the pre-treatment, the application, and environmental conditions. In less aggressive environments and with good maintenance, the lifespan can even be longer.

How Thick is a Typical Coating Layer?

The thickness of a powder coating layer is usually between 60 and 120 micrometers (µm). For indoor applications, a thickness of approximately 60 µm is common, while for outdoor applications, a thicker layer of about 120 µm is often applied to provide extra protection against weather influences.

Powder coating on steel is an effective, durable, and aesthetic method of protection. At SealteQ, we apply this technique in collaboration with reliable partners, tailored to the specific requirements of your project.

Would you like to know if powder coating is the right choice for your steel structure? Contact us for a free consultation.

MultiPaint Steel Preservation and MCB coating terminal Arnhem

Preservation of steel structure (5000 m2)

3,000m² steel preservation job Groningen

Commissioned by the construction consortium OV Terminal Arnhem (Ballast Nedam Bouw and BAM Utiliteitsbouw), MultiPaint Staalconservering B.V., in collaboration with MCB from Bergharen—both part of the SealteQ Group—coated the steel structure of the terminal's waiting area.

On behalf of Arendsen Steel from Ulft, the specialists of SealteQ MCB are busy with the preservation of a large steel structure with approximately 5000m2 of material surface.

In Groningen, the specialists from SealteQ Noord are working on an extensive steel conservation project. The project, covering an area of no less than 3,000 m², focuses on conserving the entire steel structure of the building. This requires not only technical expertise but also a meticulous approach that characterizes our team.

Artworks

Balcony and gallery renovation

Concrete floor repair

Concrete Injection

Concrete renovation

Concrete Repair

Concrete repair balcony

Earthquake Damage Repair

Facade renovation

Fire resistant coating

Steel preservation cabin

Underground and overhead piping

Undergrout

Wear layers

It is important to coat your steel structure. This protects it against moisture, fire and weather influences, among other things. SealteQ has been an expert in coating systems on various surfaces for many years.

Hot-dip galvanizing is an effective method for long-term protection of steel against corrosion. However, in many applications, galvanizing alone is not sufficient. Especially for structural steel that is continuously exposed to weather, wind, or chemical agents, additional preservation is crucial to prolong its service life and reduce maintenance costs.