Powder Coating Colour and Options what you need to know
At NSP Coatings we understand that colour isn’t just about appearance. It’s about performance, longevity and how your finished product will stand up to the elements, wear and time. Whether you require a standard industrial finish or a premium architectural coating, we support a wide selection of colours, gloss levels and finishes and we help you choose the right one for the job.
Colour standards we work with
We supply coatings based on the most widely recognised colour standards in the UK. This means you can specify colours easily, ensure consistency across batches and guarantee that the finish meets your expectations. The most common standards we use are:
RAL Classic – the most popular and accepted system across industry and construction. Colours are specified with four‑digit codes (for example: RAL 9010 White, RAL 5005 Signal Blue, RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey).
BS 4800 / BS 381C – British Standard colour references often used in architectural and public‑sector work. They remain important for historical accuracy or specific project requirements.
If you don’t see the exact colour you need in our standard range, we can also source special‑order powders to match bespoke RAL or BS numbers (subject to minimum order quantities). That gives you flexibility while keeping the reliability you expect from an industrial coater.
Finishes and gloss levels – tailoring appearance to purpose
Selecting a colour is just the start. The finish , whether gloss, satin or matt and the texture can dramatically affect not only the look of the metal but also how it performs over time.
Gloss finishes deliver a shiny, reflective surface that looks clean and crisp, great for architectural metalwork, feature pieces, gates or railings.
Satin or semi‑gloss finishes offer a balanced look, still attractive, but with less glare and a more muted refinement.
Matt finishes offer understated, tough surfaces often chosen for industrial parts, structural steel, or where a low‑glare, utilitarian appearance is preferred.
Texture options are also available for specific requirements, from smooth surfaces to more industrial‑style finishes that can help hide minor imperfections or provide extra grip.
Why powder coating colours outperform liquid paint
Powder coating isn’t just about colour, it’s also about durability and protection. Compared with traditional liquid paint, benefits include:
Uniform, even finish without runs or drips (common with spray paint)
Excellent adhesion and a thick, durable outer layer that resists impact, abrasion, corrosion and UV fading
Consistent finish across complex shapes, sharp edges and intricate fabrications — ideal for structural steel, architectural panels or aluminium frames
Environmentally friendly coating process: minimal solvents, low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), safer and cleaner finishing compared with many liquid paints
These advantages mean that once you select a colour and finish, powder coating delivers a robust, professional look that’s built to last, perfect for industrial, commercial and architectural projects.
How to choose the right colour and finish for your project
Here are some practical considerations when you pick your coating:
Application environment Is it indoor or outdoor? Coastal or industrial? Metal that’s exposed to salt air, UV and weather will benefit from tougher coatings and protective under‑layers.
Metal type Steel, aluminium, galvanised steel, architectural extrusions — each has its own pretreatment and preparation requirements for the coating to adhere properly.
Function of the part Is it structural, decorative, load‑bearing, exposed, or internal? High‑use or high‑wear items might need more durable finishes and protective coatings.
Desired appearance Gloss vs matt, bright vs subtle, smooth vs textured. Think about aesthetics, maintenance and longevity.
Batch consistency For multiple parts or phased fabrication, using RAL/BS codes ensures every batch matches, giving uniformity across entire structures or builds.
At NSP Coatings we’re happy to advise if you’re unsure — we’ll work with you to specify the correct combination of colour, finish, pretreatment and coating type for your application.
Standard stock vs bespoke colours
We maintain a broad stock of the most commonly used RAL and BS colours ready to go, enabling fast turnaround and efficient processing when you need standard coatings.
For less common or custom colours we rely on powder suppliers who can produce bespoke batches to match the required RAL/BS code or special specification (subject to minimum order quantities). We’ll always flag this upfront — lead times and pricing vary depending on the colour demand and volume required.
Quality assurance and traceability
Every job coated at NSP is tracked through our custom CRM/ERP system. That means for each project we log:
Metal type and pretreatment process (shot blasting or zinc priming)
Powder batch number and colour code (RAL or BS)
Gloss/finish specification (matt, satin, gloss, texture)
Coating thickness and curing data
QA check records prior to dispatch
This gives our clients full traceability and confidence that their coating is exactly to spec ,ideal for architectural projects, compliance-critical builds and repeat orders.