A very frequently askked question of our clients is related to the surface-finishing of the metal parts of indoor design lamps. In this article we want to examine the major types of surface-finishings, namely electroplating, powder coating, spray painting and oxidation.

 

Electroplating belongs to the most popular surface-finishings due to its shiny, mirror-like appearance which gives a specially elegant touch to indoor design lamps. Moreover, electroplated surfaces are very resitant against corrosion. Due to the more complex process of electroplation, also the cost is higher than for other surface-finishings.

 

 

Next to electroplating, the second popular surface-finshing of lamp metal parts is spray-painting.  Spray painting provides an even, flawless results, is quite fast in its making and relatively inexpensive compared to other methods. Spray paintiing offers also a wide range of colours and finishings.

 

Powder coating is another option, but generally more expensive than spray painting. Powder coating involves a more complex process, including the preparation of the metal surface, the application of the powder coating material, and the use of specialized equipment. Powder coating is also thicker than paint, providing better protection against rust, dirt, and other types of damage. 

 

Oxidation, which is a chemical reaction that occurs when a material is exposed to oxygen, can provide certain benefits such as increased corrosion resistance and the formation of a protective layer on the surface of the metal. This protective layer can enhance the durability and longevity of the metal part. The cost of oxidation approximately equals the cost of electroplating. In the LED lamp industry the process of oxidation is rather seldomly applied, compared to the before mentioed methods.