Victoria Plating Had Emission Limits To Meet And Customers To Satisfy

Customers had quality requirements. New York City and New York State had air compliance regulations. Victoria Plating, Bronx, NY, had provided its customers with quality finishes for 51 years. The environmental regulations demanded compliance, and owners Charles Antmann and Jeff Higdon refused to sacrifice finish quality.

Victoria specializes in plating high-volume, high-quality finishes using two return-type automated machines. The major substrate is zinc diecast, but the company also plates on steel and brass. It offers copper/nickel/chromium, brass, gold and black oxide finishes in addition to lacquer topcoats. Gold and black oxide finishes are done manually. Stampings, spinnings and castings are electroplated or polished to a high luster before applying a clear lacquer. The clear lacquer topcoat was the source of Victoria's emission troubles.

"Historically, we have offered three types of lacquer," noted Mr. Higdon, "waterborne dip lacquer, air-applied air-dry lacquer and a solvent-baked lacquer. The VOC limitations eliminated the air-dry lacquer capabilities, because of the solvents in it that were necessary for the coating to flash off."

According to Mr. Higdon, the regulations came into effect before a viable alternative had been developed. "Although enforcement was a bit lax at first, eventually we received a violation for air emissions," admitted Mr. Higdon. Fortunately, the EPA allowed Victoria to apply the monetary penalty toward the purchase of compliance equipment.

Victoria investigated several alternatives, including electrocoating, but found it cost prohibitive because it would be used intermittently. Thermal oxidizers and other VOC incineration methods were not practical also because of cost and because Victoria didn't know if it would even need these devices in the future if the solvent-borne lacquer went out of production. Victoria also tried lacquers containing chlorinated solvents but found they discolored aluminum parts.

Ultimately, Victoria installed a large oven and offered its customers a low-cure, clear, waterborne baked lacquer finish on the brass, bronze, copper and silver. The coating was developed and supplied by Agate Lacquer. "This was an expensive decision," noted Mr. Higdon. "The oven was costly, and with a baked lacquer there is more time involved.

"But because of that investment," Mr. Higdon said, "we were able to keep our customer base." Victoria's customers include notable manufacturers such as Mack Truck, Melard Shower and Stanley Tool.

After this investment and changeover to baked lacquer finishes only, Agate approached Victoria with a compliant air-dry lacquer. This enabled Victoria to again offer three types of lacquer finishes. "If there is a difference between an air-dry and a baked lacquer finish, it isn't obvious and has not affected production," remarked Mr. Higdon. "Also, it allows us to do more. You can't put a baked lacquer on plastics because of the oven temperature; now, we can lacquer plastics. You can't put a baked lacquer on certain substrates or finishes because of discoloration; now, we can coat these types of metals and finishes." But this didn't alleviate its compliance obligations.

Even though Mr. Higdon would rather spend more time in the finishing shop, the EPA keeps him tethered to his desk a significant portion of his time. "Charles Antmann and I made a decision back in the 80's that we were not going to manifest any waste, if possible. That was ok then, but now it is difficult because it is expensive, labor intensive and there is a lot of equipment maintenance. And as laws change, you have to spend more money and time," he added.

"I believe in the industry," avowed Mr. Higdon, "that is why I became involved with NAMF (National Association of Metal Finishers). Our relationship with EPA is ever evolving. Some days it is great, and other days it is tenuous. But you have to stay on top of things and know what is going on."

Victoria Plating has been able to keep up with all of the EPA and New York regulations. The low-VOC air-dry lacquer has helped the company comply with its air emission regulations. Customers still have their quality requirements. The environmental agencies have their emissions standards. And, Victoria Plating is still providing its customer with quality finishing.

Dedication

Leroy Smith lives in Brooklyn. He works in the Bronx. To get to work at Victoria Plating by 7:30, Mr. Smith must take three different subway trains. And, Mr. Smith has done this every day for thirty-four years without fail. What is Mr. Smith's job? He is an artist, a craftsman, a polisher.

Mr. Smith skillfully polishes and buffs about 270 chrome-plated Mack Truck bulldog hood ornaments a day. Jeff Higdon, owner of Victoria, estimates that Mr. Smith has polished more than 1,750,000 four-inch bulldogs since he began his polishing career in 1965.

This year, Mr. Smith plans to retire to his home state of North Carolina. His schedule will include some fishing and traveling and probably sleeping in. In addition, he would like to buy himself a Mack Truck just to look at it!