Two coating processes, one company, for parts that live on the road

Automotive parts face road salt, moisture, heat, vibration, and impact. Great Dane protects them with powder coating, electrocoating, or both. We run two dedicated plants, so we can match the process to each part. For the harshest conditions, an e-coat primer under a powder topcoat delivers dual-layer protection.

What automotive parts does Great Dane coat?

Great Dane Powder Coating serves the Automotive Indusry

Great Dane coats a wide range of automotive parts. Common jobs include wheels, bumpers, grilles, and exterior trim. We also coat frames, brackets, suspension components, and under-hood parts. Both manufacturers and their suppliers use our lines. Some parts are visible, so color and gloss matter most. Others are structural, so durability and corrosion resistance come first. Many parts need both at once. We coat steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and alloy steels. Part sizes run from small hardware to large frames. Volumes run from short custom orders to repeat production runs. Because we operate powder coating and electrocoating in two dedicated plants, we can take the whole list. That means one vendor, one point of contact, and one accountable partner. If you are not sure which process fits a part, ask us. Our team makes that call every day, and we will explain the reasoning behind it.

We also coat Automotive Accessories.

How do powder coating and e-coating protect automotive parts?

Automotive parts face some of the harshest service conditions in industry. They meet road salt, water, mud, stone chips, heat, and constant vibration. A coating has to handle all of it. Powder coating applies a charged dry powder that heat cures into a hard film. That film resists chipping, scratching, UV fading, and chemical exposure. It also delivers the color and gloss that visible parts require. Electrocoating works differently. We lower racked parts into a charged liquid bath of Axalta AquaEC 6000 series coating. The film deposits evenly, at a controlled thickness, across every surface. It reaches recessed edges, seams, weld joints, and interior cavities. Those are the exact spots where corrosion starts and spray guns cannot reach. Complex assemblies and hollow parts benefit the most. For your customer, the result is a part that keeps working and keeps looking right. For you, the result is fewer warranty claims and fewer returns.

When is a dual-layer finish the right choice?

Some automotive parts need more protection than either process gives alone. For those parts, Great Dane applies a dual-layer finish. We start with an e-coat primer that covers the whole part evenly. Then we add a powder topcoat for hardness, color, and impact resistance. The e-coat guards the metal from the inside out. The powder guards the surface from the outside in. Together they outlast either coating by itself. This pairing is a proven approach in automotive manufacturing. It suits chassis parts, brackets, suspension components, and anything that sees road salt. It also suits parts with hidden cavities a topcoat cannot reach. Most coating shops offer one process, so a dual-layer job means two vendors and two shipments. Great Dane runs both, so the part never leaves our control. That removes a handoff, a freight leg, and a finger-pointing risk. Learn more on our E-Coating and Dual-Layer Coating pages.

How does Great Dane keep automotive production on schedule?

Automotive schedules do not wait. A late shipment of coated parts can stop a line. Great Dane runs a 5-day standard turnaround on most work. When a job needs to move faster, we can often accommodate it. Ask us early and we will tell you honestly what is possible. Capacity is part of the answer. Our 18,000 square foot powder coating plant and 6,000 square foot e-coating plant handle production volume. Consistency is the other part. Our rework rate stays below 1%. Parts that meet spec the first time do not come back onto your schedule.

We also handle the work around the coating. That includes sandblasting, pretreatment, masking, labeling, and line-ready packaging. Light assembly is available as well. Every step we handle is a step you do not have to schedule, ship, or manage yourself.

Are these coatings environmentally responsible?

Both of our processes are cleaner than traditional liquid paint. Powder coating uses no solvents and emits negligible volatile organic compounds. Overspray is collected and reused, so material waste stays low. Electrocoating uses a water-based bath and recovers excess material in the rinse stages. The Axalta AquaEC 6000 series is formulated to meet current environmental standards. Neither process creates the solvent waste stream that spray painting does. There is a second, quieter environmental benefit as well. A part that lasts longer gets replaced less often. Fewer replacements mean less raw material, less energy, and less scrap across the life of a vehicle. That life-cycle math matters as automotive suppliers report on sustainability targets. Choosing the right process the first time is part of the same equation. A part that is coated correctly does not need to be stripped and redone. If your program requires documentation for a supplier scorecard, tell us what you need.

Why choose Great Dane for automotive coating?

Great Dane has coated industrial parts since 1991. Owner and General Manager Gary Lamolinara has led the company from its very first days. That continuity shows up in how we run jobs. We offer powder coating and electrocoating from one company, in two dedicated plants. Most competitors offer one process or the other. Offering both means we recommend the process that fits your part, not the process we happen to run. Our sub-1% rework rate comes from controlling quality at every stage, not just at final inspection. Plant Manager Colton Adams drove that number down from about 3%. Quality Manager Kendrick Bolish now oversees the systems that hold it there. We serve manufacturers across the eastern seaboard from Loyalhanna, Pennsylvania. Our client list includes Caterpillar, Manitowoc Cranes, and Spartan Motors. Tell us about your parts, volumes, and deadlines. We will recommend a process and return a clear quote.

Ready to coat your automotive parts?

Send us your part list, volumes, and target dates. We will recommend powder coating, e-coating, or a dual-layer finish, then quote it. Call 724-537-9709 or request a quote today. We deliver on time and on budget, with no hidden fees.

You can learn more about the markets we provide coating services for on our Industries Served page.

Frequently Asked Questions

1Can you powder coat automotive wheels?
Yes. Wheels are one of our most common automotive jobs. Powder coating gives a wheel a hard finish that resists chips, brake dust, and road salt. We offer custom color matching and a range of gloss levels, including high gloss, satin, and textured finishes.
2Which is better for automotive parts, powder coating or e-coating?
Neither is better across the board. Powder coating wins on hardness, color, and appearance. E-coating wins on even coverage inside complex or hollow parts. Many automotive parts do best with both: an e-coat primer first, then a powder topcoat over it.
3What is dual-layer coating?
Dual-layer coating means an e-coat primer applied under a powder coat finish. The e-coat reaches every recessed surface, including seams and interior cavities. The powder adds hardness, color, and impact resistance. Together they give an automotive part more corrosion protection than either coating delivers alone.
4What metals can you coat?
We coat steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and alloy steels. Aluminum is common in automotive work and takes both processes well. If you have an unusual substrate or a mixed-metal assembly, send us the details. We will confirm what we can run before you ship.
5How long does automotive coating take?
Our standard turnaround is 5 days for most work. Faster turnaround is often possible, depending on the job and our current schedule. Tell us your target date when you request a quote. We will tell you what we can commit to before the parts arrive.
6Do you handle high-volume production runs?
Yes. We handle repeat production orders for manufacturers and their suppliers, along with short custom runs. Our plants have processed over a million parts in a single year. We also offer masking, labeling, and line-ready packaging, so parts arrive ready for assembly.
7Will powder coating hold up to road salt and UV exposure?
Powder coating resists corrosion, chipping, and UV fading well. For parts that see heavy road salt, or that have hidden cavities, we recommend adding an e-coat primer underneath. That dual-layer system is the more durable choice for vehicles serving the winter salt belti.
8How much does automotive coating cost?
Cost depends on part size, quantity, substrate, the prep required, and the finish you choose. Higher volumes usually lower the cost per part. The fastest way to get an accurate number is to request a quote with your part details. We quote with no hidden fees.
9Where is Great Dane located, and who do you serve?
We are in Loyalhanna, Pennsylvania, east of Pittsburgh. We serve manufacturers across the eastern seaboard. Our client roster includes Caterpillar, Manitowoc Cranes, and Spartan Motors, along with long-term regional partners such as Aloma Shim and Manufacturing.