Polyesters are the workhorse of the powder coating world, although they have limited chemical and wear resistance. As with all coatings, correct preparation and pre-treatment is crucial to durability. Even the best polyester will fail after 6-12 months external exposure if applied directly to steel. Polyesters are widely used for decorative architectural applications as they offer. Polyurethane powders are a particular class of polyester; the chemical resistance is improved as is the flow giving a smoother finish but inferior edge coverage.