What is baked paint finishing?
Baked paint finishing combines surface preparation, application of a specified liquid paint and a controlled cure. Primer and topcoat may have separate dry-film requirements. It is distinct from powder coating, and not every liquid paint is a baked system.
Key specifications
Process references and example callouts are identified below. CHIHENG confirms the accepted material, dimensions and treatment requirements in the part quotation.
| Parameter | Reference / what to specify |
|---|---|
| Materials | Substrates compatible with the preparation, paint and required bake cycle. |
| Film thickness | Specify primer, topcoat and total dry-film thickness separately in µm from the actual product data sheets. |
| Tolerance | Define post-paint fits; mark threads, mating faces and contacts that must remain uncoated. |
| Colour / texture | Colour reference, gloss, texture and approved sample where needed. |
| Curing | Product-specific temperature and dwell time; identify heat-sensitive inserts or assembled features. |
| Part size | Review spray access, rack position, oven capacity and part condition from CAD. |
Applications
Electronics
Painted housings, covers and control panels.
Industrial equipment
Brackets and enclosures using a specified primer/topcoat system.
Custom products
Metal parts with an approved colour and cosmetic finish.
Working with CHIHENG
A direct conversation with our team, from your first drawing to delivery.
A reply within 24 hours
Send us your drawing and questions. Our team will reply within 24 hours and help you work out the next step.
An experienced engineering team
Talk through materials, tolerances and finishing with engineers who understand how your part will be made.
Machining equipment
We use our machining equipment and practical manufacturing experience to turn your drawings into finished parts.
Competitive worldwide shipping
We offer competitive shipping solutions for customers around the world, with options to suit your destination and delivery schedule.
Process steps
- Confirm substrate, paint products, preparation, layer thicknesses and cure conditions.
- Clean and pretreat the surface; mask functional areas and apply primer if specified.
- Apply the required paint layers with their specified intervals and surface condition.
- Complete curing and inspect dry film, appearance and retained functional features.
Baked paint finishing vs Powder Coating
| Comparison point | Baked paint finishing | Powder Coating |
|---|---|---|
| Coating form | Liquid coating system | Dry powder before curing |
| Layer design | Primer and topcoat can have separate requirements | Single- or multi-coat design follows the powder specification |
| Cure | Ambient or baked route depends on the liquid product | Temperature and dwell time depend on the powder |
| Selection | Compare appearance, substrate limits and repair system | Compare appearance, substrate limits and film build |
Planning your paint finish
- Send a colour reference or sample, along with the paint product and gloss you need.
- Mark threads, contact faces and other areas that should stay unpainted. Tell us about any seals, inserts or adhesives that cannot be heated.
- State the required dry-film thickness for the primer and topcoat. We can review the paint and curing requirements with your drawing.
FAQ
Is baked paint the same as powder coating?
No. They use different coating systems and application methods. Tell us which process or paint specification the drawing requires. State the actual liquid paint products and layer requirements. Two processes involving an oven do not automatically produce interchangeable coatings on the same substrate.
What if the part must match an existing assembly?
Send the colour reference and identify the visible faces and adjacent components that must match. An approved physical sample can define the expected gloss and texture as well as colour. Agree the representative cured finish and acceptable variation before production, while keeping the actual paint products and layer requirements in the technical specification.
What should be masked before painting?
Mark fitted bores, threads, electrical contacts and other areas where coating is restricted. Include any final dimensional requirements. Mark final dimensions, masked features and the visible cosmetic faces. Supply the drawing revision, substrate and quantity so the quotation covers the complete finished component.
How should paint thickness be specified?
Use the selected manufacturer’s technical data to state dry-film thickness for each layer and the total system. A wet-film reading is not the same as the final cured thickness. Identify significant surfaces, masked features and the acceptance method so primer and topcoat build can be reviewed with the final dimensional requirements.
Can a colour sample define my painted housing?
A sample is useful for appearance, but it does not replace the coating product designation, gloss, texture or pretreatment requirements. Mark the visible faces and any mating parts that must match. Agree a representative sample for the complete cured finish rather than assuming that a colour name defines the entire paint system.
