Product category:
Paints, Coatings and Finishes
News Release from: Qualicoat (UK & Ireland) | Subject: What is special about Qualicoat
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 January 2008
Domonstrating what is special about
Qualicoat
Paul McCarthy, Chairman of Qualicoat UK and Ireland answers some typical questions regarding the Qualicoat quality label.
You've seen the name you probably know what it is, but do you specify it on your orders? I can hear you say "Why should I specify one finish when I can leave the specification open to keep my costs down?"
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 18 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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First of all the Qualicoat specification is a global standard put together by a 'not for profit' association, based in Zurich, where the membership have a vested interest in being a member.
It's a little like being a member of a football supporters club, you become a member and support your team in order for it to perform better.
Secondly your choice is not reduced a great deal as most of the powder manufacturers are members of Qualicoat and offer Qualicoat approved material.
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Qualicoat members agree to pre-finish and apply powder coatings to minimum standard using wide range of materials from various manufacturers.
Qualicoat the standard for powder coating
Specifiers, fabricators and end users should all specify the Qualicoat standard in all their work to ensure the excellent quality that architectural powder coatings can achieve .
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As more manufacturing members join the choice is increasing.
"So what about cost, it must cost more as I will be narrowing my choices?".
Well there is no point in saying there is no cost involved as I am sure that there are powder coaters in the UK who powder coat to meet a price.
Qualicoat is a standard that approves the powder, the pre-treatment chemicals and the process of powder coating.
No one standard does this except Qualicoat and most importantly specifying Qualicoat encompasses all the British and European standards.
If you are the type of specifier or company who likes to offer a consistent quality finish to your clients, Qualicoat should not cost you anymore.
Of the major powder coaters in the UK, you will find a high majority already members of Qualicoat.
As members only supply one standard of finish, you may already be using Qualicoat, check out the members of Qualicoat by going to the Qualicoat UK and Ireland website at www.qualicoatuki.org.
"Is the standard monitored?" Yes, unlike a typical British Standard which in most cases is self regulated unless you have the finish independently tested at additional cost, Qualicoat is independently tested.
The company responsible for this is Bodycote, a highly respected British based testing house who have many branches across the UK specialising in all forms of industrial testing techniques.
Qualicoat members are independently inspected at least twice per year, and yes they will loose their Qualicoat status if they fail on any part of the routine testing.
"So what do members get out of Qualicoat?".
Regular member meetings offers feedback on emerging new standards and technical groups who meet to further the Qualicoat standard.
There is often a speaker who talks on a specific topic relating to powder coat or in the case of the recent members meeting at Bodycote, members were shown around the extensive testing facilities.
Members may also use the Qualicoat logo on all their marketing communication.
More importantly by being a member of Qualicoat the supplier or producer is recognised as supplying the best quality architectural powder coating available.
The added benefit is that the failure rate is dramatically reduced when powder coating is applied the Qualicoat standard.
This in turn reduces the extensive costs of re-applying finishes on site which fail in use.
The benefits to the customer is consistent finish and long life which I am sure is what we all expect from our powder coat, but do not always get.
A Qualicoat specification can only improve a companies credibility when fabricating and supplying powder coated aluminium systems and product.
"OK so I'm convinced, how do I specify the standard what is the latest issue, date, number, etc to use?".
Thats just it, just use 'Qualicoat' on your specification.
Doing so ensures that the powder coater is registered with Qualicoat and uses Qualicoat approved powders and pre-treatment systems.
By not having any date or references as a user you can be guaranteed that the coating, whenever undertaken, is always up to date.
To find a member go to the Qualicoat website, you will also find that members are also very helpful and knowledgeable about their product.
Just ask a football supporter about his own team...
Further helpful information can be found at the UK website.
• Qualicoat (UK & Ireland): contact details and other news
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