If you are a manufacturer or designer, there are five common myths about coil coating or prepainted metal you might have heard. We’re going to bust those myths one by one and show you why prepainted metals are your best choice. Here are the facts.

Myth 1: Prepainted metal is expensive.

The truth is, utilizing prepainted metal saves you money by eliminating the costs associated with an in-house paint shop. When you post-paint, you have the added expense of labor, materials, scrap, and inventory. Plus, there are numerous costs (and headaches) when you’re dealing with EPA and OSHA compliance. It can cost big bucks to make sure you’re properly handling waste, emissions, and cleanups. In addition, storing paint in your facility can cost you in higher insurance premiums. To determine whether prepaint is for you, download the cost analysis form under Education on the NCCA website.

Myth 2: Prepainted metal can’t be joined.

Again, not true. Coil-coated materials join easily and beautifully. They can be joined by any number of methods, such as adhesive and mechanical assemblies with or without fasteners. Some can even be welded. No matter the joining method, prepainted metal still retains a more beautiful and flawless surface than post-painted metal. View the NCCA tutorial “How to Join Prepainted Metal” on the NCCA website for additional information.

Myth 3: Prepainted metal is difficult to form. 

False. Prepainted metal actually forms exceptionally well. In fact, coil-coated metal can be formed even with extreme bends, and it draws with no damage or loss in surface quality or beauty. The substrates and coatings used to produce prepainted metal are formulated to meet the demands of the fabrication process. Prepainted metal can be formed and shaped with a finish that is superior to post-paint. For additional information on forming, view the NCCA tutorial “How to Form Prepainted Metal” on the NCCA website.

Myth 4: Prepainted metal corrodes easily along cut edges.

This is just a myth, too. In fact, tests show that prepainted parts, even with exposed edges, have superior exposure resistance compared to post-painted parts. That’s because of the types of substrates used and the uniformity of pretreatment and film thickness of prepaint. View the “Prepainted Cut-Edge: Tougher Than You Think” tutorial for more information.

Myth 5: Prepainted coils are difficult to handle.

Not accurate. With a little bit of care and changes in your storage procedures, prepainted metals are easy to handle. You can transport and store prepainted materials without scuffing and marring the surface. The tutorial “How to Handle Coil Coated Metals” on the NCCA website will provide you with additional information.

So leave the myths to the ancient Greeks and start dealing with the beautiful realities of prepainted metal. For more information about converting your plant to prepaint, be sure to visit http://www.coilcoating.org.