Feature Articles

Zinc Plated Zinc Diecasts Turn Blue
Question: We plate zinc diecasts with zinc.

Paint Recommendations
Question: We work with a number of job shops that apply powder to tubular stock that undergoes subsequent bending and punching operations.

Pretreatment Rinse Tanks
Question: I have a five-stage dip process.

Dot Commentary: Make Your Intranet Extra Special
When it comes to electronic media, I have little patience.

Classification of Flashpoints
Question: I found your discussion in the April 2001 issue informative as always.

Up and Running with Hard Coating

Starting a new business within the last year or so has been a difficult task. However, thanks to some experienced founders, great relationships with its suppliers and a well-planned finishing line, Xenon is well on its way...

Chromium Alternative Solves Problem

Working together, the finisher, customer and supplier found the best solution to what could have been a costly finishing situation...

Perspectives: Setting a Precedent
Recent surveys by a nationwide consulting firm indicate a great anxiety among component suppliers about what buyers currently want.

Selectively Plating Plastics the Seleco Way

How tough can it be to put in a plating line and start running a job shop? Faced with the idea that it was no longer going to be simply a supplier, but the actual plating job shop, Seleco Inc., prepared itself. However, the learning curve was steeper than it planned...

Identification Tracking
Question: In your September column you were asked about a paint-over tracking system.

Mixing Room Materials of Construction
Question: We are installing new mixing room systems that will be handling waterborne basecoats and solvent-borne primers and clearcoats.

Graphite Cleaning
Question: Our company produces aluminum extrusions for paint.

Avoid Painting the Conveyor II
Question: With reference to your letter in the October issue, I have a comment regarding overspray on racks, etc.

Alkalinity Loss in Cleaning Stage of Washer
Question: We are experiencing significant drops in the alkalinity of our first stage cleaning bath in a seven-stage pretreatment line.

Inconsistent Gloss Problem
Question: Regarding the letter from T.B. in the October Painting Clinic, I had run across a similar fouling in the oven that would cause an inconsistent gloss.

Powder Hooks/Rack Cleaning
Question: I am into my third month of study for a new powder coat system for our company.

Thermochromic Paint
Question: I am the owner of a custom painting shop.

Solvent Cleaning Disc Drive Parts
Question: You received an inquiry regarding solvent cleaning of disc drive parts using "exotic" solvent and alcohol in a vacuum style vapor degreaser.

Chromate vs. Phosphate
Question: I know iron phosphate works great on steel, but it is not as effective on aluminum.

UV Powder Reaching New Markets

UV powder coating is starting to gain some popularity among finishers as they see the ability of UV to open up new markets for them...

Better Bath Management with Meter Controls

All electroplating, anodizing and electrocoating baths require maintenance. One of the most frequent needs is replenishing depleted materials. There are several techniques to accomplish that…

 

Dye Sublimation Coating
Question: I am looking for a supplier of a clear polyester type coating to be applied over a glazed ceramic substrate (tiles, mugs, etc.) to which I will then apply an image using dye sublimation.

Quieting Wire Springs
Question: Our company makes window balances.

Finding Customers
Question: We are considering installing an electrocoat system for our product (automotive brackets) but do not have enough of our own product to justify the system.

Bright Nickel Sulfamate Plating
Question: We do electroforming using nickel sulfamate plating baths.

Stripping Defective Copper Plate
Question: What is the best way to strip copper from steel?

Nozzle Selection
Question: I am an avid reader of your magazine.

Chromium Plating Bath Purification Revisited
Question: What are some of the ways to maintain the purity of a hexavalent chromium plating bath?

The Cost of Electrocoating
Question: Why is electrocoating equipment so expensive?

Watertight Masking Device
Question: I am working on an issue with a company regarding a pre-paint cleaning operation.