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24 Jul 2026 masking
Smarter Masking Solutions for Coating and Finishing Challenges
From securing parts on hooks to protecting threads and managing air pressure, purpose-built masking products are helping manufacturers reduce rework, improve efficiency and achieve more consistent finishing results.

20 Jul 2026 Parts Cleaning
Ecoclean Launches Intelligent Process Control Solutions for Water-Based Cleaning
Ecoclean’s two automated process control solutions, the Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) system and Smart Drying technology, are designed to meet the high quality standards of water-based cleaning processes.

8 Jul 2026 measurement-testing
Salt Spray Versus Cyclic Corrosion Testing: What's the Difference?
Both methods evaluate corrosion resistance, but they don’t always produce the same results. Understanding the key differences can help suppliers stay ahead of evolving automotive OEM requirements.

12 Jul 2026 nasf
Electrodeposition of Ni-Fe-Mo-W Alloys Project #R-117 – The Complete Reports
Dr. Elizabeth Podlaha-Murphy wins the 2026 NASF William Blum Award for her groundbreaking research on electrodeposition of Ni-Fe-Mo-W alloys. Explore her full project reports.

27 Jul 2026 automotive
Decorative POP Plating's Role in Evolving Automotive Finishes
After years of monochromatic styling, blacked-out trim packages and painted trim, OEMs are once again using metallic surfaces to create distinctive vehicle identities to define consumers’ in-vehicle experience.

17 Jul 2026 Ask The Expert
The Measurement Rule Your Paint Shop Needs
Daily or per-shift viscosity readings may feel sufficient, but if your booth cycles a rack per minute, you need measurements in seconds. Explore the engineering principle that explains why — and what’s at stake.

7 Aug 2026
There is No Future for AI Without Industrial AI
Physical AI, the manifestation of artificially intelligent systems in physical assets, starts at the line and the time for finishers to act is now.

22 Jul 2026 Powder Coating
How The Coatings Industry Can Support a Sustainable EV Marketplace
The global electric vehicle market has been on a steady rise for more than a decade, but with slow adoption in the U.S. relative to the rest of the world, what can the coatings industry do to support OEMs?

29 Jul 2026 Electrocoating
For More Than 20 Years, Setting the Bar for Success
Products Finishing Champion of the Industry Jamie Visker has set a course toward a bright future.

15 Jul 2026 management
Are You Making Informed Decisions?
The best operations aren’t necessarily smarter — they have better visibility. Gardner Business Media's new Manufacturing Connected platform is designed to give every manufacturing professional that same edge.
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On Demand
Why Most Coating Failures Start Upstream: What Pretreatment Lines Should Really Be Monitoring
Pretreatment is the foundation of coating performance. When it's right, adhesion and corrosion resistance are consistent and predictable. When it's off — even slightly — problems often surface months later as rust, blistering or rework. In this webinar, Hubbard-Hall pretreatment expert Gary Raihl draws on decades of plant-floor and lab experience to focus on the three variables that most directly control results: time, temperature and testing. Rather than stopping at routine titrations, this session examines how cleaner exposure, stage temperature, line speed and bath control influence soil removal, water break and conversion coating formation. Attendees will see how these fundamentals translate into coating weight, adhesion and corrosion performance — and why good chemistry can still fall short when process drift or poor communication between operations, equipment and chemical teams goes unchecked. The goal is to clarify what should be monitored, why it matters and how small deviations in pretreatment conditions can become major coating problems downstream. Agenda: Why coating failures start in pretreatment: how incomplete cleaning or poor conversion lead to corrosion, adhesion loss and rework months later The impact of time and temperature on performance: how dwell time, bath temperature and line speed control soil removal and coating formation What to monitor beyond titrations: key indicators such as dwell time, temperature, water break, coating weight and in-process verification How testing connects the lab to the line: using salt spray, coating weight and process logs to confirm performance and detect drift early Why communication is a process control tool: how coordination between chemical, equipment and operations teams prevents compatibility issues and downstream failures

On Demand
Using Advancements in XRF Technology to Optimize Your Process Chemistry Control
Do you know what is in your electroplating bath? While X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has traditionally been used in electroplating facilities to measure the thickness and composition of plated coatings, many in the industry are now recognizing its value for monitoring the elemental composition of plating baths as well. XRF enables simultaneous multi-element analysis with significantly reduced sample preparation time and cost compared to conventional techniques. This enhanced visibility into bath chemistry allows for more consistent process checks, enabling operators to maintain bath stability and respond proactively to changes before they result in process disruptions. Advancements in automation and inline measurement now make it possible to integrate XRF directly into plating lines — facilitating real-time analysis and automated bath adjustments for optimized performance. Join Fischer Technology to explore the latest innovations in how electroplaters can leverage XRF to improve efficiency, quality and control in their operations. Agenda: How XRF technology can analyze plating bath chemistry How this analysis can improve your plating quality, efficiency and costs How this compares to alternate methods How to improve control and quality traceability with continuous monitoring using inline XRF

On Demand
Beyond Clean: How Surface Prep Chemistry Drives Powder Coating Performance
In powder coating, performance starts long before the powder ever hits the part. This session takes a closer look at the role of surface prep chemistry and how it shapes coating outcomes — from adhesion to corrosion resistance and overall durability. Attendees will hear real-world examples of how shops are adjusting their pretreatment process based on part geometry, metal type and soils — from cold rolled and hot forged steel to extruded and architectural aluminum. Hubbard-Hall will explore the role of cleaner-coaters, deoxidizers and derusters — and how to work through issues like stearates on drawn steel or paraffin-based lubricants. Whether you're running a five-stage washer or working through inconsistent results, this session shows how looking beyond time, temperature and concentration — and toward chemistry, process flow and substrate condition — can lead to more consistent, higher-performing finishes. Agenda: Understand how surface prep chemistry interacts with different metals and soils Learn how cleaner coaters, deoxidizers and derusters fit into a modern pretreatment process See how real shops have improved performance by adjusting their surface prep approach Gain troubleshooting tips for resolving common coating failures tied to inadequate prep

On Demand
Choosing the Right Pretreatment Prior to Phosphating
Dealing with sludge, poor adhesion or patchy phosphate coatings? The real issue may be pretreatment. In this webinar, learn why proper cleaning and descaling are critical to coating quality and process efficiency. Haviland will cover two-stage cleaning, the role of alkaline descalers, safer pickling options and simple ways to reduce rework and equipment wear. If you’re looking to improve consistency and cut downtime, this session is for you. Agenda: Welcome and overview Understanding the pretreatment process Cleaning and degreasing Alkaline descaling: key to better coatings Risks of strong acid pickling Safer and more effective alternatives Final considerations for a strong pretreatment program
Calendar See All

7 Aug 2026
2026 Minnesota Association of Metal Finishers Golf Tournament
The Minnesota Association of Metal Finishers (MNAMF) represents the interests of businesses and professionals throughout the metal and surface finishing industry of Minnesota.

11 Aug 2026
PCI - Powder Coating 202 - Advanced
PCI hosts Powder Coating 202 - Advanced on Aug. 11-12, 2026 in Plymouth, MN.

14 Aug 2026
NASF Northern California - MFANC 2026 Summer Outing - SJ Giants Game
The NASF Northern California chapter hosts MFANC 2026 Summer Outing - SJ Giants Game on Aug. 14, 2026 in San Jose, CA.

17 Aug 2026
AMPP Tulsa - August Monthly Luncheon
The AMPP Tulsa chapter hosts August Monthly Luncheon on Aug. 17, 2026 in Tulsa, OK.

20 Aug 2026
AMPP Arizona - August 2026 Chapter Meeting
The AMPP Arizona chapter hosts August 2026 Chapter Meeting on Aug. 20, 2026 in Tucson, AZ.

20 Aug 2026
AMPP Great Lakes - Business Meeting (August)
The AMPP Great Lakes chapter hosts Business Meeting (August) on Aug. 20, 2026.

5 Aug 2026 New & Upcoming
CCAI West Michigan - Annual Scholarship Golf Outing Register Now
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Top Shops
Features stories and news on the adaptations of top shops, good habits, beneficial practices and successes that make a finishing shop a "Top Shop."

40 under 40
Young professionals are a vital asset to the finishing industry, and it is important to acknowledge those who are making great strides in shaping the industry's future.

Champions of the Industry
Products Finishing is proud to announce a new awards program that recognizes individuals in the industry that are making important contributions to forward the surface finishing industry.
Videos See All

29 Jun 2026 Liquid Coating
BMW Group Plant Leipzig Brings Terahertz-Based Measurement to Plastic Component Paint Inspection
In-line solution achieves digitalized nondestructive measurement of paint layer thickness for exterior plastic parts in series production for resource conservation and more accurate quality inspection deployment.

26 May 2026 measurement-testing
Advancing Bonding, Coating and Sealing to 4.0 Systems for Metals, Composites and More
Brighton Science uses decades of experience, 2-second surface measurements and a framework of data-based specs and KPIs to help manufacturers advance toward reliable, predictable bond quality for faster, high-performance production.

4 Apr 2026 40-under-40
Leaders in the Making: 40 Under 40 Class of 2026
PF honors emerging leaders in the finishing industry nominated for its annual 40 Under 40 program.

14 Nov 2025
Best Technology Automates Passivation System for High-Volume Metal Finishing
Introduction of a rail-mounted gantry automation for passivation and surface finishing provides consistency and efficiency for regulated manufacturing environments.

17 Sep 2025 sustainability
Functionalizing Surfaces for Sustainability
Riblets reduce drag, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise while boosting power output, flow rates, speed and efficiency.

20 Jun 2025
Engineering an Easy-to-Use, Explosion-Proof Cobot for Painting
The 20XP incorporates a UR20 cobot that’s modified to be explosion-proof and an innovative programming system to create a safe, easy-to-use method for automating liquid painting processes.
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Improve Your Parts Cleaning Processes
10 Point Checklist to Improve Your Parts Cleaning Processes

Automotive Coatings
A collection of four PF features that delve into the technologies, processes and people working to provide protection for the automobiles of today.

The Case for Cleaning
Survey and analysis, with Hubbard-Hall, of Products Finishing Top Shops benchmarking attitudes and practices concerning parts cleaning.

Parts Cleaning 5 Aug 2026

How to Protect Steel Parts From Rust Before Powder Coating
5 Aug 2026

Renegade Parts Washers Marks 30 Years of Building Industrial Cleaning Equipment
editorial 3 Aug 2026

Is Your Shop a 2026 Top Shops Qualifier? Check the Updated List
3 Aug 2026

ChemQuest Looks Ahead to Next Five Decades With CEO Hire
3 Aug 2026

Gema USA Inc. Welcomes South Central U.S. Territory Manager
surfin 2 Aug 2026

Electrodeposition in Porous Fiber Cloth Structures: From Poor Coverage to Optimized Process
Powder Coating 31 Jul 2026

AkzoNobel Halves Carbon Reduction Target Four Years Ahead of Schedule
31 Jul 2026

FABTECH Returns to Las Vegas After a Decade Away
automotive 30 Jul 2026

BYK-Gardner Buys Perisens GmbH for QA Gain on Painted Plastic
29 Jul 2026

Visual Shop, Bluestreak Join Forces With Steelhead Technologies

Published 02/08/2013

CCAI SoCal Chapter Partners with Marines on 'Toys for Tots' Event

Nearly 190 toys collected to help disadvantaged kids

Edited by: PF Editorial Team

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Doing More with Less: Why Efficiency and Durability Are Redefining Sustainability in Surface Finishing

Laser Cleaning Fast-Tracks Surface Preparation

Selecting a Spray Applicator for Liquid Coatings

The CCAI Southern California Chapter held a ‘Toys for Tots’ golf tournament in December, collecting almost 190 new toys for disadvantaged kids in the area.

The event was held at Eagle Glen Golf Club in Corona, CA, and included 18 holes of golf, lunch, dinner, team prizes, long drive contests, closest to the pin contests, hole-in-one contests, putting contest and a large post-tournament raffle.

Coral Chemical's Ron Lum, the CCAI Southern California Chapter president and CCAI National Board of Directors treasurer, spearheaded the event, which partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps and their national ‘Toys for Tots” campaign.

Any company who would like to partner with CCAI and sponsor the event next year can contact Ron Lumat 951-775-8785 or by email rlum@coral.com

Click HERE to see other photos from the day

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