Feature Articles

Preparation Before Ion Implantation
Question: I would like to ask what preprocessing has to be done in order to prepare the steel surface before ion implantation of mould?

Adhesion to Plastics
Question: Recently, I have experienced some sporadic paint adhesion failures.

Changing Your Painting Process

Changing the way you do things can be difficult. But, Grote Industries embraces change by encouraging its employees to continually generate ideas to improve its manufacturing process. This philosophy made the switch to new electrostatic bells on the painting line a rather easy one...

Chlorinated Paraffins in Cutting Oil
Question: I have discovered that our largest customer uses chlorinated paraffins in its cutting oils.

Used Equipment Suppliers
Question: I am a general manager of a job shop that only liquid paints plastic parts for OEM applications in automotive markets (grilles, hub caps, etc.). I want to get powder coating in the shop on a batch basis (dip cleaning, batch booth, powder gun, batch oven, etc.). Since I have a limited budget, I was looking for used equipment.

Navy Blue Powder Coating
Question: We are looking for a navy blue finish for a 304 stainless steel cylinder that is used as a knob on one of our products.

Troubleshooting Chromate Conversion Coatings
Question: We are having all kinds of problems with chromate conversion coating.

Chemical Conversion Coatings
Question: I am looking for a conversion coating that will withstand a 1,000-hr exposure in the 5% salt spray test.

Decorative Plating at Quaker City

Quaker City Plating provides high- end, high-value decorative plating on plastic and metal substrates. Although its customers have always been satisfied, QCP wasn't. It wanted a better preplate system for its plastic plating processes, and it found what it was looking for...

Determining the Passivation
Question: What test methods are available in determining the passivation of stainless steel?

On My Mind: PFShopFinder
Several times each week the sales staff and editorial department of Products Finishing receive phone calls and e-mails from companies looking for a finishing job shop.

Nothing but Net: Online Shoppers Identified
It is important for you to understand how people are using the Internet for shopping and sourcing products and services.

Passivating 416 Stainless Steel
Question: I have a customer who wishes to passivate parts made from 416 stainless steel.

Coating Air Conditioner Coils
Question: We are an air conditioner equipment manufacturer.

Spraying Metallic Paints
Question: I have experienced some difficulty in color matching between methods of spray application, primarily on metallic colors.

pH Changes in Cyanide Copper Strike
Question: Why does the pH change in our cyanide copper strike?

Rubber Cleaner
Question: I am looking for a rubber cleaner that can be used on EPDM and not cause any drying or glazing of the surface.

Zinc Phosphate Sludge
Question: We run a zinc phosphate spray coating line where mostly mild steel is treated.

Perspectives: The Big Three Online Adventure
The Big Three recently announced that it intended to create a joint online trade exchange.

Finish for Stainless Steel
Question: We are looking for a navy blue finish for a 304 stainless steel cylinder that is used as a knob on one of our products.