How Much Does Powder Coating Cost in the UK?
Powder coating costs in the UK typically range from £15 for a small item like a single railing section to £300+ for a full set of alloy wheels or a large pair of gates. The exact price depends on four things: the size of the item, the amount of surface preparation needed, the coating system specified and the turnaround time required. This guide gives real UK prices for the most commonly powder coated items, explains what affects the cost, and shows why powder coating is almost always cheaper than painting over a 10–20 year period.
Key Takeaways
- Most domestic powder coating jobs cost between £40 and £200 per item
- A pair of standard garden gates costs £80–£150 to powder coat
- A set of four alloy wheels costs £160–£280 depending on size and finish
- Surface preparation (shot blasting) is usually included in the price
- Powder coating costs more upfront than painting but lasts 15–25 years vs 2–5 years for paint — making it 2–3x cheaper over the item’s lifetime
- Prices vary by region; quotes from Spraytech are based on our Bishop’s Stortford facilities serving London, Hertfordshire and Essex
How Much Does Powder Coating Cost Per Item?
The table below shows typical UK powder coating prices for the most commonly coated domestic and commercial items. These prices include shot blasting and surface preparation where needed, powder coating, curing and basic quality inspection.
| Item | Typical UK Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single railing section (per metre) | £15–£30 | Straight mild steel railing |
| Pair of garden gates | £80–£150 | Standard single/double gates |
| Large driveway gates (pair) | £150–£300 | Depending on size and weight |
| Set of 4 garden chairs | £60–£120 | Stacking or folding chairs |
| Garden table | £40–£80 | Standard 4-seater |
| Garden bench | £50–£90 | Cast iron or steel frame |
| Single alloy wheel (up to 18″) | £40–£60 | Including tyre removal/refit |
| Single alloy wheel (19″–22″) | £55–£75 | Larger diameter wheels |
| Set of 4 alloy wheels | £160–£280 | Standard single colour |
| Bike frame | £50–£90 | Frame only, forks extra |
| Motorcycle frame | £80–£150 | Depending on size |
| Radiator (standard single) | £40–£70 | Cast iron or steel |
| Fire surround | £60–£120 | Cast iron, cleaned and coated |
| Balustrade section (per metre) | £20–£40 | Architectural spec |
| Industrial component (small) | £15–£40 | Brackets, covers, enclosures |
| Industrial component (large) | £40–£150+ | Frames, guards, assemblies |
Prices are indicative and based on standard polyester powder coating in a single RAL colour. Items requiring heavy rust removal, multiple coats, specialist finishes or urgent turnaround may cost more.
For an exact quote, contact Spraytech with photos and dimensions of your items.
What Affects the Cost of Powder Coating?
Four factors determine the final price of any powder coating job:
1. Size and quantity of items — Larger items use more powder, take longer to prepare and occupy more oven space. Batch jobs (multiple identical items) are typically cheaper per unit than one-offs because setup time is shared.
2. Surface preparation required — An item in clean, bare metal condition needs minimal preparation and costs less. A heavily rusted gate with layers of old paint needs shot blasting and possibly chemical stripping before it can be coated — this adds time and cost. Most reputable coaters include preparation in the price because cutting corners on prep leads to early coating failure.
3. Coating system and finish — Standard single-colour polyester is the most common and most affordable option. Premium finishes cost more: two-tone or split finishes require masking, metallic and textured powders are more expensive per kilogram, and multi-coat systems (primer + colour + clear coat) use more material and oven time.
4. Turnaround time — Standard turnaround at Spraytech is 48 hours for most domestic items. If you need same-day or next-day service, an express surcharge may apply depending on current capacity.
Is Powder Coating Cheaper Than Painting?
Powder coating costs more upfront per item, but it is significantly cheaper over the item’s lifetime because it does not need recoating every few years. Here is a real example:
20-Year Cost Comparison: Garden Gates
| Powder Coating | Painting | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | £120 | £60 |
| Lifespan per coat | 15–25 years | 3–5 years |
| Recoats in 20 years | 0 | 4 |
| Cost per recoat | £0 | £60 |
| Total recoat cost | £0 | £240 |
| Total 20-year cost | £120 | £300 |
| Cost per year | £6/year | £15/year |
Over 20 years, painting the same gates costs 2.5 times more than powder coating them once. And that calculation does not include the time, effort and disruption of sanding, priming and repainting every 3–5 years.
For industrial and architectural projects, the lifecycle savings are even larger — especially when access costs (scaffolding, site closures) for repainting are factored in.
How Much Does Alloy Wheel Powder Coating Cost?
Alloy wheel powder coating is one of the most popular domestic powder coating services. Prices depend on wheel size, condition and finish type:
| Finish | Per Wheel | Set of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard single colour (up to 18″) | £40–£60 | £160–£240 |
| Standard single colour (19″–22″) | £55–£75 | £220–£300 |
| Two-tone / split finish | £65–£90 | £260–£360 |
| Diamond-cut face + powder coated barrel | £75–£100 | £300–£400 |
| Hyperblack / satin black | £45–£65 | £180–£260 |
These prices typically include tyre removal and refitting, stripping the old finish, surface preparation, coating, curing and wheel balancing. Wheels with heavy kerb damage or corrosion may need additional repair work at extra cost.
How Much Does Industrial Powder Coating Cost?
Industrial powder coating is priced per job rather than per item, because industrial work varies enormously in scale, specification and complexity. Pricing depends on:
- Volume — batch size and total square meterage to be coated
- Material — mild steel and aluminium require different pre-treatment processes; aluminium preparation is typically more expensive
- Specification — coating system, film thickness, colour, testing and certification requirements
- Turnaround — standard scheduling vs programme-critical deadlines
- Ongoing vs one-off — contract work with regular volumes is typically priced more competitively than one-off jobs
As a very rough guide, industrial powder coating rates in the UK range from £2–£8 per square metre for high-volume, standard-specification batch work, up to £15–£25+ per square metre for low-volume, high-specification architectural work with colour matching, testing certificates and phased deliveries.
For an accurate industrial quote, send us your drawings, specifications and volumes. Contact Spraytech →
Does the Price Include Surface Preparation?
At Spraytech, yes. Our prices include shot blasting and surface preparation as standard on every job that requires it. We do not charge separately for blasting unless it is requested as a standalone service without coating.
Not all coaters include preparation in their headline price. When comparing quotes, always check whether the price includes:
- Shot blasting or chemical stripping
- Pre-treatment (iron phosphate for steel, conversion coating for aluminium)
- Primer coat (if required by the specification)
- Tyre removal and refitting (for alloy wheels)
A lower headline price that excludes preparation is not a saving — it is a recipe for premature coating failure. According to HSE surface preparation guidance, proper cleaning and treatment of the substrate is essential for coating adhesion and durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does powder coating cost per item?
Most domestic items cost between £15 and £200 to powder coat. A pair of garden gates typically costs £80–£150, a set of four alloy wheels £160–£280, a bike frame £50–£90 and a single railing section £15–£30 per metre. Prices include shot blasting and surface preparation at Spraytech.
Is powder coating expensive?
Powder coating costs more upfront than painting — roughly 50–70% more per item. However, a powder coated finish lasts 15–25 years compared to 2–5 years for paint. Over a 20-year period, powder coating typically costs 2–3 times less than repeated repainting, making it the more cost-effective choice long term.
How much does it cost to powder coat a set of alloy wheels?
A standard single-colour powder coat on a set of four wheels (up to 18″) costs £160–£240. Larger wheels (19″–22″) cost £220–£300. Two-tone and diamond-cut finishes cost more. Prices include tyre removal, stripping, preparation, coating and refitting.
Why do powder coating prices vary between companies?
Prices vary because of differences in preparation quality, coating systems, equipment and service levels. A cheaper quote may exclude shot blasting, use thinner coatings or skip pre-treatment — all of which lead to shorter coating life. Always ask what is included in the price before choosing the cheapest option.
Do you charge extra for shot blasting?
No. At Spraytech, shot blasting is included as standard in our powder coating price when it is required. We only charge separately for shot blasting when it is requested as a standalone service without coating.
How much does it cost to powder coat garden furniture?
A set of four garden chairs typically costs £60–£120 to powder coat. A garden table costs £40–£80 and a bench £50–£90. Prices depend on size, condition and the amount of preparation needed. Contact us with photos for an exact quote.
Can I get a quote without bringing my items in?
Yes. Send us photos of your items along with approximate dimensions and the colour or finish you want. We can provide an accurate quote from photos in most cases. For industrial or architectural work, send drawings or specifications.
Conclusion
Powder coating costs more than painting upfront, but it is the cheaper option over the lifetime of virtually any metal item. A one-off investment of £80–£150 on a pair of gates gives you a finish that lasts 15–25 years — compared to spending £300+ on repeated repainting over the same period.
At Spraytech, our prices include shot blasting and surface preparation as standard. We provide domestic, industrial and architectural powder coating from two facilities in Bishop’s Stortford, serving London, Hertfordshire, Essex and the South East.