The Art of Powder Coating

Story & Photos by Felicia Frazar

Philip Elley and Gary Baker are business partners, but beyond that, they are family. The pair own and operate Koda Powder Coating, which was born out of a previous business venture. The former business offered truck accessory installation and window tinting and then evolved into building classic cars.

Working on classic cars is something Elley has shared with his father and stepfather for years.

So, when the time came for him to switch careers, it was a natural move.

“My dad and my stepdad have been fixing old cars since I can remember,” Elley said. “I got tired of welding, so I got out of the welding business and started working on cars full time.”

Through a suggestion from his stepson, Elley — along with Baker, his father-in-law — began powder coating metal items.

Koda Powder Coating employee, Rushton Skinner, sprays powder on a magnetically charged metal gate before putting it in the oven.

“It was always truck accessories, and we started building cars. Then we got the powder coating oven so we can do the frames of the cars,” Elley said. The more powder coating they did, the more they realized it was their niche. So, the two began phasing out the restoration business.

“We don’t want to build them anymore,” Elley said. “It is too much time, too much work.”

The shop moved to 621 N. Austin St. and is home to the largest walk-in oven in the state, Elley said.

The process is quick and straightforward and easy on customers’ pocketbooks, Baker said.

It starts with scrubbing the item, baking it in the oven to remove any dust or residual fingerprints, application of the powder as it is magnetically applied to the metal and then cooked again for about 10 to 15 minutes in 425 degrees.

“To wash it bake it, powder it and bake it again, it takes about 35 minutes,” Baker said.

Once it cools — about 15 minutes — it’s ready to go, Elley said.

People tend to prefer powder coating because it is more durable, Baker added.

A 1927 Ford Speedster and a golf cart show off the work that Koda Powder Coating does while celebrating Independence Day at the Biggest Small Town Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2019

The powder coating business is a change of pace for Baker, who retired from the oil industry as an operations manager after 33 years. Before his move to the oil fields, Baker served as a Texas State Trooper for a decade.

The family business isn’t just Baker and Elley, it includes Elley’s wife, who helps with human resources and soon, Baker’s wife upon her retirement.

The pair also believe in serving the community through charitable events.

Most recently, Koda Powder Coating hosted a barbecue for local law enforcement in celebration of Law Enforcement Appreciation Week; they’ve supported the Blue Santa Program and assisted the Elks Lodge in hosting a car show.

Also inside the shop on North Austin Street, the pair help sell classic vehicles and offer window tinting service.