PCM Steel
Prepainted coated steel for uniform solid-color panels and fabricated components
PCM steel from Everesteel uses baked polymer paint coatings on metal substrates to create a consistent, ready-to-fabricate surface for visible industrial and interior applications. It is well suited to appliance shells, HVAC panels, and other components where durable solid color and cost-efficient production are more important than laminated decorative finishes.
- Available with baked polymer coatings on GI, EGI, and cold-rolled steel substrates
- Designed for stable color, coating adhesion, and efficient panel fabrication
- Suitable for appliance panels, HVAC components, and interior applications
- Custom colors, slit coil, and cut-to-length supply available
- MOQ is 5 tons for sampling and production supply
Own Factory, Own Coating Lines, Full Specification Control
Everesteel designs and manufactures prepainted steel coils and sheets at our factory in Jiangyin, Jiangsu — one of China’s primary steel processing hubs. With 26,000+ tons of annual production capacity, we support procurement teams and panel manufacturers across 65+ countries, from initial sample approval through to full-volume orders.
We are not a trading company. Every coil that leaves our facility is produced on our own coating and processing lines, giving you direct control over specifications, lead times, and quality outcomes.
26,000+
tons annual production capacity
6,800+
global buyers served
65+
countries supplied worldwide
98.7%
on-time delivery rate
What is PCM Steel?
Prepainted coated metal (PCM) — also called pre-coated metal or paint-coated steel — is a metal substrate that has been cleaned, chemically pretreated, primed, and finished with a baked-on polymer paint coating before fabrication. The color and surface come from a liquid paint system cured onto the metal, giving you a smooth, even, solid-color finish.
PCM and VCM are often compared, so it helps to be clear on the difference. VCM bonds a pre-made PVC or PET film to the substrate, which delivers rich texture and decorative depth. PCM uses a paint coating instead of a film. That makes it more economical and gives a very stable, uniform solid color — the practical choice when you want consistent color and clean coverage rather than film texture or wood grain effects.
PCM is a layered coated system built on:
- Topcoat — the baked polymer paint layer that defines color and gloss
- Primer — bonding layer that improves adhesion and durability
- Pretreatment — chemical surface prep for reliable coating adhesion
- Base metal — GI, EGI, or cold-rolled steel, chosen by corrosion and forming needs
- Back coat (optional) — primer or back paint applied to the reverse side
Like other prepainted materials, PCM arrives ready to use — no secondary painting at your facility. It is most commonly specified for appliance outer and inner panels, HVAC casings, ductwork components, and interior panels.
PCM vs VCM / PPGI: Which Should You Choose?
All three are pre-finished steel products. The difference is the surface system on top of the substrate.
| Factor | PCM Steel | VCM Laminated Steel | PPGI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface system | Baked polymer paint coating | PVC/PET film laminated to steel | Paint coating over galvanized steel |
| Main strength | Stable solid color, uniform finish, cost-effective | Rich decorative depth, texture, anti-fingerprint film | Coated steel for general and outdoor use |
| Surface options | Solid colors, matte, gloss, wrinkle | Wood grain, brushed, metallic, matte, high gloss | Solid colors, patterns, textures |
| Best for | Appliance shells, HVAC, interior panels | Visible appliance and door panels | Roofing, cladding, general panels |
| Cost level | Economical | Premium | Economical |
| Selection note | Confirm topcoat, gloss, adhesion, color | Confirm film type, adhesion, forming | Confirm substrate, zinc coating, environment |
- Choose PCM when you need a stable, uniform painted color at an economical price. Step up to VCM when the panel is highly visible and needs film texture or decorative depth, and choose PPGI when a general-coated steel fits the job.
Why Buyers Source PCM from Everesteel
Coating Adhesion Verified Before It Reaches Your Line
A PCM panel is only as reliable as the bond between coating and substrate. We control pretreatment, primer application, and curing temperature in-house, then verify the bond with cross-cut and T-bend adhesion testing on every batch. That means the coils reaching your press or roll-former survive bending, stamping, and forming without the coating cracking or peeling — no rejected panels downstream.
Consistent Solid Color, Locked for Repeat Orders
PCM's core strength is uniform color, and holding that color across production runs is where in-house control matters. We formulate to your RAL code, Pantone reference, or physical sample, produce a lab drawdown for approval, and record the formula so future orders reproduce the same shade and gloss. We measure color and gloss against your approved standard on every batch, keeping tight batch-to-batch consistency.
A Pre-Finished Coil That Removes Your Painting Step
Every PCM coil leaves our line ready to fabricate — no painting booths, drying ovens, or secondary finishing at your factory. This cuts a full process step from your line, removes the inconsistency of in-house painting, and speeds up throughput. For appliance and HVAC makers running high volumes, that means less rework and a cleaner, more predictable assembly process.
One Substrate and Coating Combination, Matched to Your Application
Because we coat GI, EGI, and cold-rolled substrates on our own lines, we help you match base metal, coating system, and gloss to how the part is actually used — corrosion-exposed HVAC casings, dry interior panels, or formed appliance shells. We confirm the combination on a sample before mass production, so the material fits your environment and your forming process from the first order.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product | Prepainted coated metal (PCM) steel coil & sheet |
| Base metal | GI, EGI, or cold-rolled steel (other substrates on request) |
| Base steel thickness | 0.25 mm – 1.20 mm (other gauges by project) |
| Coating system | Polyester (PE), epoxy, polyurethane, specialty interior systems |
| Top coat thickness | 5 – 25 microns (primer + topcoat system) |
| Coil width | 600 mm – 1,250 mm (slit widths available) |
| Surface finish | High gloss, matte, semi-gloss, wrinkle, embossed, anti-fingerprint |
| Color | RAL / Pantone standard; custom color matching available |
| Back side | Primer, back coat, or treated back surface per requirement |
| Coil inner diameter | 508 mm / 610 mm |
| Coil weight | 3 – 8 tons per coil |
| Surface treatment | Chromate or chromate-free pretreatment (RoHS-compliant) |
| Standards | JIS, EN, GB, or agreed project standard by substrate |
| Typical applications | Appliance panels, HVAC casings, ductwork, interior panels |
- Specifications are indicative. Custom substrates, coatings, gauges, and widths are available on request. Minimum order quantity: 5 tons.
Surface and Pattern Options
PCM delivers its finish through a baked paint coating, giving you clean, uniform surfaces across a range of gloss and texture levels. The options below can be adjusted to match your requirements.
Solid Colors
Uniform single-tone finishes in white, grey, black, blue, and custom RAL/Pantone references — the core strength of PCM and the standard choice for appliance shells, HVAC casings, and interior panels.
Matte / Low Gloss
Flat finish with reduced reflection, widely specified for premium appliance surfaces, office equipment panels, and interior work where a low-sheen look is preferred.
High Gloss
Bright, reflective surface for visible appliance facings and decorative interior panels where a clean, glossy look is required.
Wrinkle / Texture Finish
Structured surface that improves scratch resistance and hides minor handling marks — well suited to equipment housings, utility panels, and enclosure covers.
Embossed Finish
In-line emboss patterns such as linen or stucco that add rigidity to thin gauges and mask handling marks on visible panels.
Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Topcoat formulation that resists surface smudging — specified for high-touch appliance panels and premium interior surfaces.
Processing Capabilities
Downstream processing is available in-house, so your PCM can arrive in the format your appliance line, HVAC plant, or panel workshop actually needs — not just as a master coil.
Slitting
Coils are slit to custom widths from 20 mm and above, with tight tolerances and clean edges suited to panel forming, appliance part production, and profile lines.
Cut-to-Length
Sheet blanks cut to your dimensions with flatness and squareness tolerances suitable for direct press, stamping, or panel-forming feeding, with protective paper where required.
Embossing
Structural or decorative emboss patterns applied in-line, including linen, stucco, and custom profiles. Embossing adds rigidity to thin gauges and hides minor surface handling marks.
Lamination
Protective or decorative films applied over the coated surface for transit protection, added scratch resistance, or a specific decorative effect on visible panels.
Custom Color Matching
Submit a physical sample, RAL code, or Pantone reference, and our technical team formulates a matched batch — with a lab drawdown and production sample provided for approval before the full run begins, and the formula recorded for repeat orders.
Sourcing slit strip or custom-cut blanks for an appliance or HVAC project?
Send your width, thickness, substrate, and color, and our team will confirm lead time and pricing within one business day.
Recommended Specifications by Application
| Application | Recommended Thickness | Base Metal | Coating System | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appliance outer panels | 0.40 – 0.60 mm | GI / EGI | PE / PU | Solid color, high gloss |
| Appliance inner panels | 0.30 – 0.50 mm | GI / cold-rolled | PE / epoxy | Smooth white |
| HVAC casings | 0.50 – 1.00 mm | GI / EGI | PE / epoxy | Solid, matte |
| Ductwork components | 0.40 – 0.80 mm | GI | PE | Solid color |
| Interior wall panels | 0.40 – 0.70 mm | GI / cold-rolled | PE | Solid / matte |
| Equipment enclosures | 0.50 – 1.00 mm | GI / cold-rolled | PE / epoxy | Wrinkle / matte |
- These are indicative starting points. Final specifications should be confirmed based on your application environment, forming process, and performance requirements.
Typical Applications
Quality Control and Certifications
Everesteel maintains a documented quality management system across every production stage — from incoming substrate inspection through to final coil labeling and packaging.
In-process controls include:
- Incoming substrate inspection (thickness, coating weight or grade, mechanical properties)
- Paint film thickness measurement at the coating line
- Adhesion testing (cross-cut and T-bend)
- Gloss and color measurement against approved reference standards
- Hardness and impact testing for selected grades
- Final dimensional check before packaging
Test reports and mill certificates are issued with each shipment. Third-party inspection — including SGS, BV, and CCIC — can be arranged before loading on request.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between PCM and VCM?
PCM uses a baked polymer paint coating on the substrate, while VCM bonds a pre-made PVC or PET film to it. PCM gives a stable, uniform solid color at a lower cost, which suits appliance shells, HVAC panels, and interior work. VCM offers richer decorative depth, texture, and anti-fingerprint film options, which suit highly visible panels like refrigerator doors. Choose PCM for consistent solid color; choose VCM when film texture or decorative depth matters.
Q2. Is PCM steel suitable for outdoor use?
PCM is designed mainly for appliance, HVAC, and interior applications rather than long-term weather exposure. For roofing, cladding, or coastal use, we recommend a galvanized or galvalume coated product such as PPGI or PPGL. If your application involves occasional moisture, we can advise on the right substrate and coating combination.
Q3.Which coating system should I choose?
It depends on your application. Polyester (PE) suits most appliance and interior panels and offers good color and cost balance. Epoxy is often used for inner panels and enclosures needing strong adhesion. Polyurethane and specialty systems can be specified for higher durability or specific surface requirements. Our team can recommend the right system for your part and environment.
Q4. Will the coating survive forming, bending, and stamping?
A correctly specified PCM will. Coating adhesion and forming behavior depend on the coating system and how tight your forming radius is. We verify adhesion with cross-cut and T-bend testing on every batch, and for tight-radius or deep-drawn parts we recommend a sample trial to confirm forming limits before bulk production.
Q5. What is your minimum order quantity for PCM steel?
Our standard minimum order quantity is 5 tons per specification. For custom colors or non-standard dimensions, we recommend 5–10 tons to cover setup and color formulation costs. Contact us to discuss your project volume.
Q6. What is the typical lead time for PCM orders?
Standard lead time is 15–25 days from order confirmation and deposit receipt. Custom colors requiring new paint formulation may add 7–10 days for approval. Expedited scheduling may be available depending on production capacity at the time of order.
Q7. Can you supply custom colors and provide samples before bulk production?
Yes. Submit a physical sample, RAL code, or Pantone reference, and we produce a lab drawdown for review. Once you approve the color and specification in writing, we schedule mass production. Sample production typically takes 5–10 working days.
Q8. Can PCM steel be supplied as coils and cut-to-length sheets?
Yes. We operate slitting and cut-to-length lines on-site and can supply PCM as master coil, slit coil, or cut-to-length sheet to your specified dimensions. Sheets are stacked, interleaved with protective paper where required, and packaged for export.
Other Products in This Category
Exploring other laminated and coated options? Here are the related products in our range — each suited to a different surface system, environment, or application.
VCM Laminated Steel
PVC Laminated Steel
PET Laminated Steel
Anti-corrosion Insulation Laminated Steel
Laminated Steel
Ready to Source PCM Steel? Start with the Right Information.
Send us the details below and our team will respond with pricing, lead time, and availability within one business day.
- Application — what the material will be used for (e.g., appliance panel, HVAC casing, interior panel)
- Thickness — in millimeters (e.g., 0.45 mm)
- Width — in millimeters (e.g., 1,000 mm)
- Base metal — GI, EGI, cold-rolled, or required corrosion level
- Coating system — PE, epoxy, PU, or not sure yet
- Color reference — RAL code, Pantone number, or physical sample
- Surface / finish — solid color, matte, gloss, wrinkle, embossed
- Quantity — in metric tons, and whether one-time or recurring
- Destination country — for freight and lead time estimation