Finish in Focus: When to use a Powder (PPC) Coating Finish for Rainscreen Cladding

Polyester Powder Coating, or PPC, is one of the options from our range of rainscreen cladding finishes.

PPC is a type of dry coating, rather than a conventional liquid paint, and is applied to metal rainscreen as a free flowing, dry powder. The powder is applied to rainscreen panels electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to form a ‘skin’. This electrostatic powder process means we can ensure complete coverage of the panels, even on more complex shapes.

Designed specifically for external use, PPC leaves rainscreen cladding panels with a really hard finish, much tougher than normal paint, and its strong abrasion and corrosion resistance properties make it extremely durable and long lasting.

If you’re looking for a finish to make your project stand out visually, a PPC finish can be a great specification choice; with a range of 200 RAL colours including satin, gloss and matte to choose from, as well as special effects and textures like metallic or leatherette, you’re sure to find a way to bring your project to life.

Specifying a PPC finish for your rainscreen cladding system ensures a superior finish; it’s designed to eliminate any drips, runs or bubbles that might affect the appearance of the panels, and provides exceptional gloss and colour retention in outdoor exposure where UV stability and weather resistance are required.

PPC is also an ideal option if you’re looking to make each element of your project as environmentally friendly as possible, as it is energy and material efficient. It also minimises its release of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to almost zero.

With system availability including our Optima FC, TFC, IPC, XPC and Shingles rainscreen systems, PPC is a versatile finish and has therefore been a feature on a large number of our case studies, including Rathbone Market, Nottingham’s Byron Residence, Oakfield School and Enterprise South Liverpool Academy.

One of our most striking projects which uses a PPC finish to fantastic effect is The View, Downing Plaza, in Newcastle.

Part of a new student accommodation development in Newcastle City Centre, Downing Plaza used 2300sqm of our TFC Through Fix Cassette rainscreen cladding. Produced in 7 shades of blue RAL colours, the design intent here to create an appearance as reflective and glass-like as possible; this was achieved by manufacturing the panels in a 2mm aluminium alloy so as to maintain maximum flatness, and by finishing the system in a 70% gloss PPC.

There’s a huge amount of possibilities when using a PPC finish; whatever aesthetic effect you’re trying to achieve, we can provide a finish that does the job, and its versatility in terms of systems means its suitable for all kinds of different budgets and developments.

The training facility and showroom at Sotech are open to specifiers and contractors, where all of our Optima Rainscreen Systems are on display and you can see the range of colours and textures that PPC provides for yourself.