Metal structures don't have to be a drab gray, and many companies design metal buildings, benches, and machinery to have at least some color. While it's possible to paint aluminum and steel once you have the structure or machinery built, it's easier to use sheet metal or plates that are already colored before you install them. Companies have two main methods of adding color to aluminum: anodizing and pre-painting. Both are light years ahead of post-construction painting.
Chemical Processes Such as Anodizing and Pre-painting Are Tougher
Both of these chemical processes are tough. Very tough. The color lasts even when the metal plate is bent and twisted. The color doesn't flake or crack, and it can't be scraped off the metal (although the metal can certainly be damaged). This is especially important for metal that will be used outside as the environment and weather phenomena can damage surfaces that have regular paint on them easily.
Both processes rely on chemical applications that bond the color to the metal. In the case of anodization, the color is chemically built up in the metal itself (that's really simplifying the process, but it's essentially what happens) by using metal salts or other materials. In pre-painting, a liquid or powder coat is added to clean metal and cured.
Most Companies Offer Customized Colors
It's really not that difficult to get aluminum plates pre-painted in any color, and even anodizing offers a wide variety of hues. While it might be tempting to just buy plain metal and paint it the exact color you want, that color won't last long as it can degrade over time. You'll find hues ranging from metallic shades like gold and silver to brighter colors like red and blue. You can get custom-mixed colors at many companies, as well.
Pre-painting and Anodizing Provide Better Corrosion Resistance
Pre-painting and anodizing also help create a corrosion-resistant layer on the metal. While regular paint might protect the metal for a time, one light scratch is all it takes for the paint to be breached and water to reach the metal underneath, possibly setting off reactions that will form rust. Anodizing and pre-painting are much stronger and more protective.
If you need to get aluminum plates or other metal sheets that are a particular color, contact companies and ask about their coloring processes. Buying already colored metal will also save you time as you won't have to worry about painting it.
You can't have an industrial plant without the right equipment. What equipment you need, exactly, depends on the industry you are in. If you make granite counters, for instance, you will need some saws and cranes. If you make plastic straws, you will need molds and mixers. One thing is true across all industries, however. You need to take care to source the materials from good suppliers who stand behind their products, and then you need to take good care of your equipment. Learn more about the equipment and supplies used in industrial settings as you read this blog on the topic.