The quote from the other site is spot on regarding proper powder coating prep. Another thing is that certain powders are designed only for indoor use. The manufacturers plainly state this on their color charts, and yet people will use them on outdoor projects and wonder why the stuff fails.
Around here I see so many GM and Chrysler vehicles and the occasional Ford that are painted white and the paint has peeled off in sheets. What surprises me is that it's white that's failing in epic proportions. I would expect that of certain reds or other colors; but white?
You are correct about manufacturers using powder coating to save a buck as the labor if manually sprayed on doesn't have to be as skilled as someone who uses a paint gun. Another reason the manufacturers like powder coating is that it earns them brownie points with the EPA and tree huggers as the stuff tends to be non-toxic, the excess can be resused if collected properly, and no VOC's are present. The company who I use for powder coating does it as a sideline to their primary business of metal fabrication. The guy I deal with has told me the powder coaters are the lowest paid guys in the shop as they are unskilled labor.
Roadrunner Fabrication
Another thing I've noticed is anything made in China tends to have crappy finishes regardless of type.
That inDUHvidual is a dumbass worthy of a Darwin Award. Let's hope he hasn't bred.
Paul's wife makes the custom decals.