Paint, powder & polymer coatings · finish comparison
Epoxy Coating vs Wet Painting
Epoxy Coating and Wet Painting are both paint, powder & polymer coatings finishes; epoxy coat resists corrosion better (500–1,000 h vs 96–250 h salt spray).
Epoxy Coating
Paint, powder & polymer coatings · $$$ · instant quote
Epoxy coating is a crosslinked protective film valued for adhesion, chemical resistance, and barrier protection.
Wet Painting
Paint, powder & polymer coatings · $$ · instant quote
Wet painting atomizes a liquid resin, pigment, and solvent or water system onto prepared metal or plastic.
When to choose which
Choose Epoxy coat
Epoxy coat is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Wet paint's.
- Strong adhesion to correctly prepared metal
- Typical v1 dry-film range is 50–200 µm
- Good barrier resistance to water and many industrial chemicals
Choose Wet paint
Choose Wet paint when broad cosmetic color and thinner film are primary.
- Matches RAL, Pantone, or customer master colors
- Covers metals, molded plastics, and printed polymers with suitable primer
- Multi-layer systems can separate adhesion, color, and UV-protection functions
What the numbers say
- Epoxy coat resists corrosion better (500–1,000 h vs 96–250 h salt spray).
- Epoxy coat is the harder surface.
- Wet paint is the lower-cost option ($$).
- Wet paint is the thinner coating (20–80 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Epoxy coat | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 83 Very good | 59 Good |
| Surface hardness / wear | 15 Low | 10 Minimal |
| Cosmetic quality | 55 Good | 90 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 15 Low | 15 Low |
| Cost | 40 $$$ | 30 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Epoxy coat | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 50–200 µm | 20–80 µm |
| Salt-spray test duration | 500–1,000 h | 96–250 h |
| Max service temperature | 120 °C | 120 °C |
| Electrical | Insulating | Insulating |
| Colours | gray, black, white, custom color, clear | RAL colors, Pantone colors, custom color, clear |
| Relative cost | Premium ($$$) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 3–7 working days | 3–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Epoxy coat | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Composite | — | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| DMLS / SLM | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Polymer | Limited | With care |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| FDM | Limited | Limited |
| MJF | Limited | Limited |
| SLA | Limited | Limited |
| SLS | Limited | Limited |
Epoxy coat vs Wet paint — frequently asked
What is the difference between Epoxy coat and Wet paint?
Epoxy Coating and Wet Painting are both paint, powder & polymer coatings finishes; epoxy coat resists corrosion better (500–1,000 h vs 96–250 h salt spray). Epoxy coat is the harder surface. Wet paint is the lower-cost option ($$).
When should I use Epoxy coat instead of Wet paint?
Conversely: choose Wet paint when broad cosmetic color and thinner film are primary.
Is Epoxy coat or Wet paint cheaper?
Wet paint is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$$ for Epoxy coat) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.
Which lasts longer in salt spray, Epoxy coat or Wet paint?
Epoxy coat. Epoxy coat is rated 500–1,000 h and Wet paint 96–250 h in neutral salt spray (ASTM B117 or the qualification hours of the governing specification). The figures are for the finish as specified on a clean, properly pre-treated substrate; sealing, thickness class and substrate alloy move them.