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16 POWDER COATING, August 2018 Architectural Powder Maui Powder Works Lahaina, Hawaii Since 2010, Maui Powder Works has been a thriving sandblasting and powder coating business employing and part- nering with people passionate about performance finishes. Company owner Ross Scott worked for 15 years in furniture refinishing before getting into the metal coating business. His background and experience lead him to develop a new twist on achieving a realistic patina copper effect to metal in a nontraditional way. It all began when a customer requested a faux patina effect without the use of toxic chemicals. Scott quickly got to work figuring out a new powder coating technique that could achieve the best out- come. The resulting layered process uses a ragging or sponging technique common among faux painters and crafters but without all the toxic chemicals needed to achieve a similar effect, making it environmentally friendly. Any combination of at least two colors can be used for the main coat, then it's finished with a clear coat for a smooth matte finish. The patina shown in many of the photos on the next page have a copper base coat, anodized bronze second layer, and RAL 6034 pastel tur- quoise third layer. Each layer is partially cured until the powder flows out, then cooled before the next layer is applied. A light dusting of the effect colors with a sea sponge or brush is applied in between layers after the metal has cooled. When the last layered effect is cooled, the clear coat is applied at full cure. "Our patina effect is perfect from day one," says Scott. "You no longer have to wait for aging to occur." For a distressed bronze effect only, he suggests skipping the turquoise layer and finishing with a durable non-yellowing clear. For steel gates, it's best to use a zinc-rich primer first before the base coat is applied. "Be mindful of mil thickness during the entire process," he adds, "and do not to exceed standards." With this unique proprietary process, different effects can be cre- ated to suit your specs, from simple distressing to heavily distressed, aged looks. With different colors to create different effects, the sky's the limit. Brushed bronze effect Photo courtesy of J. Anthony Martinez Photography