The Value of DeKALB’s Painting Services for Structural Foam
Plastic parts built for demanding environments often require more than structural integrity; they also need to look the part. At DeKALB Molded Plastics, painting is an integral part of our value-added manufacturing approach, designed to help customers achieve both performance and aesthetics in one streamlined process.
From visual branding to protective finishes, in-house painting allows us to deliver a complete part that’s functional, finished, and ready for market.
Read on to see how DeKALB’s painting services support structural foam molding projects from start to finish.
Tailored Finishing for Structural Foam
DeKALB specializes in low-pressure structural foam molding, a process known for producing large, durable, lightweight plastic parts with complex geometries. These parts often serve in applications where functionality is key, such as safety barriers, industrial housings, and medical equipment enclosures. But even highly engineered parts may still require additional surface treatments to meet color standards, environmental resistance requirements, or brand specifications.
That’s where our in-house painting department comes in. With capabilities tailored to complement the unique characteristics of structural foam, our painting services allow for seamless customization without introducing added steps to the supply chain.
Flexible Paint Options for a Variety of Needs
DeKALB offers both solvent and water-based painting systems to support a wide range of application needs. We apply urethane, acrylic, and waterborne coatings using carefully controlled processes to achieve consistent results across every production run.
Our paint options include:
- Solid, metallic, and clear coat finishes
- Two-component systems
- Splatter coat and texture applications
- Two-tone color combinations
Special masking capabilities support complex part geometries and custom designs, while controlled systems help maintain accuracy, repeatability, and tight tolerances. These finishes not only enhance part appearance but also contribute to UV protection, chemical resistance, and environmental durability where required.
Streamlined Painting and Assembly Under One Roof
Unlike suppliers that outsource finishing work, DeKALB integrates painting into our broader value-added services, so the same team that molds your part can also finish and assemble it. That internal alignment helps reduce lead times, simplify logistics, and eliminate potential quality issues caused by transferring parts between vendors.
For example, a structural foam component might move directly from our molding press to the paint line and then into assembly. With on-site access to welding, inserting, and mechanical fastening, we can deliver a fully finished sub-assembly or final product, ready to ship directly to your distribution center, warehouse, or assembly line.
Supporting Complex Projects with Custom Solutions
Customers often approach DeKALB with complex requirements involving large part sizes, multiple surface finishes, and tight cosmetic standards. Our internal team collaborates with customers early in the development process to account for paint and assembly needs from the start.
Custom masking tools, texture matching, and color verification are built into our process. Whether the final product is an outdoor safety device or a painted enclosure for a high-end application, our goal is to deliver parts that are both structurally sound and visually aligned with your expectations.
Our painting services also extend to niche applications like EMI/RFI shielding for electronics enclosures, offering added protection without compromising the lightweight and durable nature of structural foam.
Built for Repeatability and Quality
Every part that passes through our paint line is backed by process controls designed to deliver the same results, every time. From surface prep to final inspection, we monitor key parameters to support repeatable outcomes across small and large volumes alike.
Customers benefit from:
- Accurate color matching and consistency
- Defined masking and finish standards
- Clear traceability throughout the process
In a manufacturing environment where appearance, function, and performance often overlap, consistency matters. DeKALB delivers that consistency through a disciplined, quality-driven approach to every painted part.
A Value-Added Partner from Start to Finish
Painting is just one part of DeKALB’s commitment to full-service plastics manufacturing. Customers gain access to a complete suite of fabrication and assembly capabilities that support even the most complex structural foam projects.
From routering and bonding to sonic welding and specialty packaging, our in-house services reduce the need for external vendors and keep your production timeline on track.
Looking for a reliable partner that can take your molded plastic parts from raw concept to finished product? Contact DeKALB Molded Plastics to learn how our painting and finishing capabilities can support your next project.