Feature Articles

Electrogrind Waste
Question: Our company currently electrogrinds the cut ends of small stainless tubes to deburr for further processing.

On My Mind: Environmental Politics
Even though I've only been in this industry for three years, there is one issue that seems to come up wherever I go—environmental regulation.

In-House Electrostatic Painting
Question: Help!

Stopping Zinc Phosphate Sludge
In the September 2000, Painting Clinic, I answered a question from L.V. about zinc phosphate sludge.

Painting Brass
Question: I have a design that requires the use of brass (No. 360 copper alloy). This design requires that some portions be painted (epoxy primed and polyurethane topcoated). I have no experience painting brass and/or know if this alloy is even “paintable.” Could you provide some insight into this matter and recommend how to best prepare the surface for painting?

Tangled Danglers
Question: The types of parts that we routinely plate are 4-6 inches long and have an OD of approximately 0.2 inch.

Prepaint Treatments
Question: We are currently plating zinc and yellow chromate for a customer.

Flaky Cadmium
Question: Our company plates small parts used in the aircraft industry.

Black Oxide Boosts Business

Premier Finishing is growing fast using a traditional customer service approach...

Substrate Filler
Question: I was wondering if there is a product for filling (Bondo-type filler) an area that can be preheated at 600F, blasted and powder coated and still have good adhesive and corrosion protection.

Thermochromic Paint
Question: I need some help.

Nothing but Net: Do Dot-Coms Equal Dot-Gone?
Eight months ago the public market viewed the dot-com world as a game for the young and swift, that there was no way the large, slow corporate giants could compete with the responsive little startups.

Profiting from Control—The (Up)Right Way

In today's world, information is king, even for finishers. UpRight, Inc. is using information it gathers through a control system on its pretreatment system and powder coating and painting lines to better understand its process and increase corrosion resistance. The ultimate result is a boost in the company's profits...

Powder Coating—Simpler and Smarter

Because MetoPoxy's powder coating booths were not meeting new environmental standards, it searched for the best solution. What it found was a booth that exceeded its environmental standards and more . . .

Increasing Productivity with New Barrel Line

The new barrel plating line at Chilo allowed the company to increase production dramatically while decreasing water use and sludge generation . . .

Coating in High Humidity
Question: My plant is located in a high humidity climate.

Perspectives: Finishing's Fire
Think of fire and you may imagine a cozy fireplace scene or roasting marshmallows or burning leaves.

Large Plating Job Shops

Once again it is time for Products Finishing's biennial survey of large plating job shops. In addition to the standard profile, we also asked platers if they were participating in the Common Sense Initiative and/or Strategic Goals Program and if they had any opinions on how to grow the plating industry . . .

UV Powder Coating
UV Powder Coating Question: I am attempting to find out as much as possible about UV powder coating, including the process itself and the equipment required.

Technical Terms
Question: We are in the process of upgrading our paint line.

More on Green Copper
In the “Plating Clinic” that appeared in the October 2000 issue of Products Finishing, I commented on a problem regarding tarnishing/oxidation of copper deposits.

Black Chromium Scratches
Question: We have parts plated with decorative and black chromium.

Nitrate Compound Reporting
Question: A colleague of mine who owns a metal finishing facility has just received notice from U.S.

Metallic Finish on Wrought Iron
Question: I am from India and have just begun a small workshop to make and design wrought iron accessories.

Wrinkle Powders
Question: I have a customer that is trying to process a wrinkle powder in a catalytic IR oven with poor results.

Zinc Whiskers
Question: Our company zinc plates steel computer cabinets.

Black Finish for Aluminum
Question: I am a technical salesman for a coatings supplier in the Chicago area.