Troubleshooting Powder Coating Issues with SIRE Methodology
Steve Houston of Vitracoat Inc. describes the SIRE method he employs for troubleshooting powder coating lines that produce faulty parts.
3 Tests to Ensure Parts are Clean Prior to Plating
Making sure that all of the pre-processing fluids are removed prior to plating is not as simple as it seems. Richard Held of Haviland Enterprises outlines three tests that can help verify that your parts are clean.
How to Choose the Right Atomizing Spray Nozzle
Choosing the correct atomizing spray nozzle for your needs can be difficult. Thankfully, the engineers from EXAIR Corporation have designed a simple guide for choosing the nozzle you’ll need.
Color is Key: Getting Color Right in Powder Coatings
What do powder coaters need to know about color management? Rik Mertens of Datacolor explains how digitalization helps save time and avoid error.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Nickel Show from Hex-Chrome Baths
Nickel show on parts from hexavalent chromium baths can have many causes. Adam Blakeley of MacDermid Enthone lays out potential causes and how to fix them.
When to Use Air Spray Guns or Rotary Bell Atomizers for Robotics
For automated finishing, are air spray guns or rotary bell atomizers better? Mark Dion from Dürr Systems explains the pros and cons of both for robotic painting.
How to Design an Effective Racking System
Well-designed racking is an important part of any finishing operation. Richard Lang, who handles technical sales for EPSI’s racking and hanging division, offers insights for designing an effective racking system.
How to Reduce Waste for Two-Component Coatings
John Owed of Carlisle Fluid Technology suggests fluid metering equipment to reduce solvent and coating waste for multiple-component coatings.
How to Handle and Eliminate Powder Coating Defects
For powder coating operations, an error report can turn defects and imperfections into an opportunity to improve.
How to Choose Between Sulfate and Chloride-Based Trivalent Chromium
There are several factors to consider when choosing between sulfate and chloride-based baths for trivalent chromium plating. Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the differences and what platers should keep in mind when evaluating options.
Pressure and Flow Control in Spray Guns and Rotary Atomizers
Tighter controls of paint flow and pressure may help finishers improve efficiency and profits.
How to Avoid Orange Peel in Powder Coating
One of the most common quality issues with powder coating is an uneven “orange peel” texture. Bruce Hilbert, applications/technical manager for Tiger Drylac, offers advice for avoiding this common defect.
Data Collection Trends in Metal Finishing
The finishing industry is moving towards the automation of process and production data collection. Roger Smith outlines new technology to help finishers automate and streamline.
How Does Aluminum Impact Dry Film Thickness Readings?
Jay Kunick from Fischer discusses why different dry film thickness gauges will give different measurements on aluminum, and how to get accurate readings.
Plating with Zinc-Nickel: Benefits and Challenges
Chad Murphy of Columbia Chemical speaks about the benefits of various types of zinc-nickel alloy, and provides tips for manufacturers about the zinc-nickel plating process.
Increasing Low Current Density (LCD) Coverage in Trivalent Chromium
Many factors can influence the low current density (LCD) coverage in a trivalent chromium system. Pavco decorative team manager Shane Moore discusses ideas for improving both chloride and sulfate systems.
How to Address Declining Powder Coating Coverage Over Time
Fine particles from reclaim could be to blame for powder coating problems that emerge over time. Avoid problems by keeping hooks clean, maintaining guns and using reclaim powder quickly to avoid accumulation of fines.
Choosing the Right Paint Booth
When investing in a paint booth, choosing the ideal airflow style for your business’ needs is perhaps the most important decision. Royce Day of Global Finishing Solutions explains the pros and cons of the four primary paint booth airflow styles.
Avoiding Adhesion Failure Due to Paraffin
For plating applicators, paraffin residue can cause poor adhesion, delayed blistering or other poor-quality performance of the plated deposit, including poor corrosion resistance. Coventya director of business development Greg Terrell explains how to remove paraffin-based lubricants prior to plating.
What's the Best Coating Method for Extended Outdoor Performance?
For long-lasting powder coating that holds up outdoors, consultant Rodger Talbert suggests pretreatment and washing options, a primer layer and a top coat.
Selecting PPE for Your Paint Shop
Guidelines for determining the appropriate personal protective equipment for a painting operation.
How to Minimize Plug Loss and Leakage During Coating
Custom Fabricating and Supplies offers several tips to manufacturers having trouble with plug loss and leakage during coating.
Tips for Optimizing or Expanding Your Anodizing Line
Jim Acquaviva, director of business development for Technic Equipment, offers advice for assessing areas of process improvement for anodizing operations, outlining helpful steps for an end-user self-assessment.
Understanding Paint Atomization
BASF coatings development expert Tim December explains how paint atomization works for both pneumatic spray applicators and high-speed rotary bell applicators.
Reducing Waste in Your Powder Coating Facility
Finishing industry consultant Rodger Talbert explains ways to reduce waste, heat in your powder coating facility.
Troubleshooting Bright Nickel Processes: How to Identify the Problem
For bright nickel process troubleshooting, Doug Lay of Coventya suggests narrowing the scope with a checklist.
Controlling Quality of Zinc Flake Coatings on Steel Fasteners
Scott McEuen, North American business development manager of zinc flake coatings at Atotech, explains how the quality of zinc flake coatings depends on good adhesion and bonding to the substrate of the fasteners.
Silane-based Multimetal Pretreatments for Powder Painting
When looking to switch from phosphate conversion coatings, Stewart Tymchuk from Dynamix suggests looking at silane-based products for powder coating pretreatments.