Frequently Asked Questions

Cleaning of Metals

• What are examples of "organic soils" that may be present on fabricated metal parts?

  Oils, lubricants & rust preventative liquids or films

• What are examples of "inorganic soils" that may be present on fabricated metal parts?

  Mill scale, metallic fines, weld soot or light rust

• Which phosphate treatment system provides the best corrosion prevention?

  Iron phosphate provides some protection but zinc phosphate is superior in both corrosion and prevention.

• What comprises a 3-stage metal pretreatment system?

  Typically, the 3-stages subsequent operations include: surfactant alkaline heated spray, heated spray rinse & a rinse with rust inhibitor as a sealant.

• What comprises a 5-stage metal pretreatment system?

  Typically, the 5-stages subsequent operations include: surfactant alkaline heated spray, heated spray Rinse, phosphate spray, primary rinse & secondary rinse with rust inhibitor as a sealant.

Powder Coating

• What are the various types of powder coatings and their applications?

  The four types include: Epoxies, Acrylics, Polyesters, Fluoropolymers.

  1. Epoxy coatings characteristics include: high hardness, impact resistant, scratch resistant with superior adhesion. They also exhibit poor weather ability and not suited for outdoor applications.
  2. Acrylic coatings characteristics include: high hardness, high chip resistant and often applied as a clear coating in the automobile industry.
  3. Polyester coatings are based on a combination of polyester and epoxy resins. These coatings are the most widely used of the powders for coating of machinery, appliances, computer equipment and decorative items.
  4. Fluorpolymer coatings are the highest class relative to weatherability and UV protection. These coatings are purposely designed for the architectural market to withstand years of temperature and exposure variation.

• How many different powder coating colors are there?

  There are thousands of colors to choose from. Your color can often be matched closely although special orders delay fast our fast turn-around.

• Will powder coating be an issue with my machined holes and threads?

  No. high temperature masking tape is used to protect machined features from being coated. High temperature silicon plugs can also be used to protect holes.

• What temperature range are used for the curing of most coatings?

  The typical curing temperature range is 350to 400 degrees F.

Spray Painting

• What are the various types of spray coatings and their applications?

  The three types include: Architectural, Industrial and Special Purpose.

  1. Architectural coatings are the most widely used. These products include: wall & ceiling paints, exterior paints and those used for severe weather exposure.
  2. Industrial coatings are used for a wide variety of applications. These include metal & aluminum products; plastics; machinery and aerospace needs.
  3. Special Purpose coatings include: automotive; industrial maintenance; roadway marking paint and marine paints.

• How is spray painting applied?

  As the name implies, this type of painting most often uses a pressurized spray gun whereby atomization occurs at the gun tip through the mixing of the pressurized air with the coating. The spray volume and "number of passes" is dependent upon the painting thickness requirement.

• What is electrostatic painting?

  This type painting requires that the paint be given a positive electrical charge and the gun be supplied a negative electrical charge. As the atomized liquid exits the gun, the paint is attracted to the part that is being painted. This type of application, at least for metal parts is used widely for high quality finishes.

• For industrial metal parts that require spray coating, are water-based environmental friendly paints available from coating manufacturers?

  Yes, most all coating manufacturers produce water-based industrial coatings. However, for parts exposed to harsh use or severe exposure, low VOC oil-based paints can also be an environmentally friendly consideration.

• What is meant by high-solids coating?

  High-solids coatings are classified as having 60 percent or more of solids content by volume. These paints are often specified for top performance and where curing conditions are less than optimal.

Powder Coat or Spray Paint?

• If I have a metal part to be coated, how do choose between powder coating and spray painting?

  The answer to this question is multi-faceted, but can often be determined through a series of questions.

  1. Size – The larger the part size the more difficult it is to powder coat. If the entire part can be contained in an oven, then powder coating may be viable.
  2. Part Thickness – If the part is large but has thin cross sections such as fabricated or bent sheet metal, then powder coating is applicable. However, is the part is large and thick cross sections such as typical castings then powder coating is less viable due to the time required to heat the part for curing of the powder coating.
  3. Part Environment – If parts will be used within a building or confined space and the size is not an issue, then either powder coating or spray painting are effective. If a part is to be used and exposed to an outside environment and the size is not an issue, then powder coating typically provides superior protection to rust and color change.
  4. Part Finish or Texture – If gloss, texture or special effects are required then powder coating is the preferred method.
  5. Part Coating After Assembly – If parts must be assembled in the field, then coated, only spray painting is applicable. This is due to the inability to heat the part for powder coat curing requirements.