Date: May 20th, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
Duration: 60 Minutes
Presenter: Steve Houston
Level: All Levels – Foundational to Advanced

Register Now

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Powder coatings have been commercially utilized since the 1960s and accelerated in global adoption during the late 1970s. Today, they are a preferred industrial finishing solution across architectural, automotive, transportation, and general industrial markets. Yet despite decades of technical advancement, many powder coating operations continue to underperform; not because of chemistry limitations, but due to overlooked process fundamentals.

The Dirty Dozen of Powder Coatings presents twelve critical operational focus areas that consistently differentiate average finishing lines from high-performing, optimized systems.

Developed by Steve Houston and informed by research and collaboration with industry experts across multiple sectors, this session delivers a structured framework for evaluating and strengthening powder coating performance. Rather than offering broad theory, this presentation concentrates on measurable, controllable variables that directly impact efficiency, applied cost, and quality outcomes.

“This session was developed for both beginners and seasoned professionals. My research has shown that many of these twelve areas are either overlooked or not given the level of attention required to truly optimize a powder coating operation.” — Steve Houston

The Dirty Dozen framework is applicable to both newly designed systems and long-established operations seeking measurable improvement. In one focused hour, participants will gain clarity on the areas that most directly influence process stability, yield optimization, and long-term operational excellence.

For professionals committed to elevating their finishing processes, this session delivers concentrated technical value without unnecessary complexity.

Participants will gain practical insight into the twelve operational areas that most directly influence powder coating success, including:

• The most commonly overlooked process variables

• Hidden inefficiencies that increase applied cost

• The relationship between pretreatment, application, and cure

• How small process deviations lead to major quality failures

• Critical control points for optimizing transfer efficiency

• Why many experienced operations still leave performance on the table

This session provides a structured framework that can be immediately applied to both new installations and established finishing lines.

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This webinar is designed for:

• Powder coating applicators

• Production managers

• Quality engineers

• OEM finishing supervisors

• Technical sales professionals

• Process engineers

• Business owners evaluating powder expansion

Whether new to powder coating or experienced in the field, attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the foundational areas that must be controlled to achieve consistent, high-performance results.

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President, Vitracoat
Industry Leader – Powder Coating & Industrial Finishing

Steve Houston has over 25 years of leadership experience in the industrial coatings industry. He has led global marketing, sales, technical support, and R&D organizations across major powder coating platforms. Formerly Global Marketing Director for DuPont’s Industrial Coatings Division, Executive Director of The Powder Coating Institute, and Vice President at TCI Powder Coatings (RPM), Houston is widely recognized for his expertise in powder coating optimization and industry education.  He currently serves as President of Vitracoat, the largest independent powder coatings manufacturer in North America.