Maas Brothers: AAMA Certified Powder Coating Applicator Flexibility

Maas Brothers is an AAMA certified powder coating applicator. Our 70,000+ square-foot facility located in the San Francisco Bay Area is certified to apply high-performance AAMA 2605 and 2604 powder coatings, as well as more basic AAMA 2603 metal finishing projects.

Regardless of run size, industry or application, we deliver the superior coating results that your products deserve – quality-assured and on-time, every time.

AAMA 2605 vs. AAMA 2604 vs. AAMA 2603: What's the difference?

The modern industrial powder coating industry employs a multitude of quality control standards to ensure that every unique product application can be properly accommodated with consistent, reliable metal finishing results.

Three of the most common standards utilized at Maas Brothers Powder Coating are the AAMA 2605, 2604 and 2603 specifications.

Metal panel going into powder coating booth

AAMA 2605: High-Performance Powder Coating for Demanding Exterior Applications

AAMA 2605 powder coatings are formulated for high-performance industrial applications, capable of withstanding harsh exterior environments for 10 years or more. These specialized commercial coatings are engineered to resist weathering, UV radiation, as well as more substantial everyday wear-and-tear.

The Specifications of AAMA 2605 Powder Coating

 

  • Color Retention Properties: AAMA 2605 powder coatings are required to resist fading and maintain the accepted level of color retention for at least 10 years.
  • Gloss Retention Properties: 2605 coatings are required to retain at least 50% of their gloss properties after 10 years of use.
  • Erosion Resistance: AAMA 2605 coatings must exhibit a 10-year erosion resistance with less than 10% loss – double the longevity of 2604 coatings..
  • Chalking Resistance: AAMA 2604 coatings also must maintain an acceptable 10-year chalk resistance.
  • Coating Thickness: 2605 rated coatings must be a minimum of 1.2 mm thick.
  • Requirements of Accelerated Testing: Tested to the limits of industrial wear-and-tear, AAMA 2605 rated coatings are required to stand up to 4,000 hours of salt spray and harsh humidity testing before the finishes are notably damaged.

AAMA 2604: Enhanced Metal Finishes Engineered for Durability

Enhanced AAMA 2604 powder coating formulas are engineered with specialized polyester resins which drastically improve the durability and longevity of the finishes. Additionally, AAMA 2604 coatings offer improved color retention as well as gloss retention: the 1-year rating of 2603 powder coatings is extended up to 5 years with 2604 coatings.

The Specifications of AAMA 2604 Powder Coating Application

  • Color Retention Properties: AAMA 2604 powder coatings are required to resist fading and maintain the accepted level of color retention for at least 5 years.
  • Gloss Retention Properties: 2604 coatings are required to retain at least 30% of their gloss properties after 5 years of use.
  • Erosion Resistance: AAMA 2604 coatings must exhibit a 5-year erosion resistance with less than 10% loss. In comparison, 2603 coatings require no erosion resistance rating.
  • Chalking Resistance: AAMA 2604 coatings also must maintain an acceptable 5-year chalk resistance. Likewise, 2603 coatings offer no chalking resistance rating.
  • Coating Thickness: 2604 rated coatings must be a minimum of 1.2 mm thick.
  • Requirement of Accelerated Testing: Subjected to less extreme testing than 2605, 2604 are subjected to more extreme testing than 2603 powder coatings.  2604 rated coatings are required to withstand 3,000 hours of salt spray and harsh humidity abuse before the finish displays any notable signs of damage.

AAMA 2603: Efficient and Co-Effective for Basic Interior Applications

The AAMA 2603 standard covers the simplest and least demanding of powder coating applications. It is an efficient and cost-effective way to coat basic interior-use products, panels and equipment which won’t be subjected to high-wear or environmentally-harsh conditions. 

Compared to AAMA 2605 and 2604 powder coatings, 2603 applications have far less stringent requirements for how long the finish must last. Furthermore, the 2603 standard requires no erosion- or chalking-resistance ratings. However, while AAMA 2603 applications aren’t nearly as durable as the AAMA 2604 and 2605 counterparts, this basic type of powder coating still generally exceeds the durability of conventional painting methods.

The Specifications of AAMA 2603 Powder Coating Applications

  • Color Retention Properties: The specified color retention is approximately 1 year with a “slight” fade to the color, so 2603 rated coatings aren’t ideal for long-term-use products in which color aesthetics are important.
  • Gloss Retention Properties: The AAMA 2603 standard does not include required specifications for gloss retention.
  • Coating Thickness: 2603 rated coatings must be a minimum of 0.8 mm thick.
  • Requirements of Accelerated Testing: 2603 rated paint must withstand 1,500 hours of salt spray and humidity abuse before becoming damaged.
Thumbnail - Reshoring Institute Case Study about Maas Brothers Powder Coating - Pg 1 of the report

Reshoring Institute Case Study:
How Maas Brothers Powder Coating Helps Meet Your Reshoring Goals

Scroll to Top