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3 Jun 2026 Ask The Expert
Advancing Stability, Performance in Automotive Plating on Plastics
As part geometries grow more complex and polymer substrates more diverse, achieving reliable adhesion in plating on plastics remains the industry's most persistent technical hurdle. Here's what's changing.

20 May 2026 workforce development
Before the Dust Settles: Solving Abrasive Blasting Workforce Challenges
The abrasive blasting industry is navigating labor shortages with strategies for awareness, training, technology rebranding and retention to build a skilled workforce.

3 May 2026 nasf
A Tribute to Robert G. Zobbi – Recipient of the 2025 William Blum NASF Scientific Achievement Award
In honor of the late Robert G. Zobbi (1938-2025), this article reflects on Zobbi’s life, as well as his contributions and achievements to the world of surface finishing.

5 Jun 2026 masking
Protecting Grounding Areas: A Critical Step in Coating and Plating
Learn best practices for precision masking to protect electrical grounding surfaces in electrocoating, plating and anodizing, ensuring conductivity and functionality.

8 Jun 2026 Parts Cleaning
Big Parts, Bigger Challenges: What It Takes to Wash Heavy Industrial Components
Custom washing systems are key for finishing large, complex parts up to 3,500 pounds, tackling conveyance, fluid dynamics and temperature control challenges.

17 May 2026 nasf
Hydrogen in Electrodeposits: Of Decisive Importance, But Much Neglected
Raub describes the history and theoretical background behind the well-known element hydrogen and its relation to electrodeposited metals.

18 May 2026 Powder Coating
Celebrating 30 Years of Customer Commitment Supporting Standout Success
A 2025 PF Top Shops winner, All-Color Powder Coating is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 by highlighting its commitment to its customers and staff.

15 May 2026 Liquid Coating
An Upstream Look at Coatings Technology
Orange peel, pinholing, inconsistent cure — many finishing headaches start in the formulation lab. A look at ACS 2026 reveals how ingredient-level innovations are delivering real solutions for industrial coaters.

29 May 2026 photo finish
Robotized Wet Spray Line Handles Parts for Aesthetic, High-Heat Automotive Environments
Lima-based PPG Coatings Services highlights its specialization in high-volume parts manufacturing and distribution via auto exhaust components.

13 May 2026
April Finishing Index Sustains Growth Momentum
Index climbs to 54.8 with broad-based component gains, while elevated material prices persist as the primary headwind despite a strong outlook.
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2026 Directory and Technology Guide 2025
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Webinars See All

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

On Demand
Enhancing Paint Adhesion: Sustainable Solutions for Metal Surface Treatment
Facing strict regulatory standards and growing demands for sustainability, the metal treatment segment needs innovative solutions that guarantee excellent paint adhesion and corrosion resistance while relying on less toxic chemicals. Organic boosters stand out as a versatile additive that meets these challenges, compatible with various inorganic chassis such as zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti) and trivalent chromium (Cr III). This webinar will explore how to enhance performance across substrates like aluminum (Al), hot dip galvanized steel (HDG) and cold-rolled steel (CRS), offering a sustainable path forward. Agenda: Navigating current regulations and the need for eco-friendly solutions Why Addibond improves paint adhesion and corrosion resistance across different substrates Examples of organic boosters’ application and effectiveness in different metal surfaces and industries
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14 Jul 2026
AAC Regional Forum
This one-day event for ACC members and nonmembers is focused on anodizing education, networking and a plant tour to Bonnell Aluminum’s Clearfield, Utah, facility.

24 Aug 2026
National Composites Week 2026
Celebrate National Composites Week 2026! The goal of National Composites Week is to celebrate and bring attention to the myriad ways that composite materials and composites manufacturing contribute to the products and structures that shape the American manufacturing landscape today. Learn how you can participate in this year's National Composites Week on NationalCompositesWeek.com.

9 Sep 2026
ECOAT Boot Camp Fall 2026
Industry experts have designed this interactive program to meet the varying technical needs of electrocoaters and anyone interested in learning more. Review the basics before taking a deeper dive into cost and process efficiencies, quality control, troubleshooting and innovative technology. Walk away with ideas and strategies for improving your own system. Also included is a copy of our textbook: Electrocoating: A Guidebook for Finishers.

6 Oct 2026
Products Finishing Top Shops 2026
New this year, Top Shops Conference will expand to include CNC machining and industrial finishing. Modern Machine Shop Top Shops and Products Finishing Top Shops, Gardner Business Media’s two largest and longest running benchmarking and business improvement survey programs, will join forces to host concurrent Top Shops Conference programs. In addition to dedicated conference programming, Top Shops Conference attendees will benefit from access to several shared general sessions, keynotes, exhibit rooms and special networking events enabling these two critical manufacturing service groups – CNC machining and industrial finishing - to learn, exchange ideas and make valuable business connections.

6 Oct 2026
Modern Machine Shop Top Shops 2026
New this year, Top Shops Conference will expand to include CNC machining and industrial finishing. Modern Machine Shop Top Shops and Products Finishing Top Shops, Gardner Business Media’s two largest and longest running benchmarking and business improvement survey programs, will join forces to host concurrent Top Shops Conference programs. In addition to dedicated conference programming, Top Shops Conference attendees will benefit from access to several shared general sessions, keynotes, exhibit rooms and special networking events enabling these two critical manufacturing service groups – CNC machining and industrial finishing - to learn, exchange ideas and make valuable business connections.

6 Oct 2026
35th Annual Anodizing Conference & Exposition
Over the course of two days, the Anodizing Conference features a dozen educational sessions covering key aspects of anodizing, in-conjunction classes to hone your knowledge and skillsand opportunities to connect with the anodizing community.

7 Jul 2026 New & Upcoming
Parts Cleaning Conference 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

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.

26 May 2025 automotive
ABB PixelPaint Delivers Paint Finish Precision, Exclusivity to Mercedes-Benz Models
ABB’s PixelPaint technology, deployed at the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant, delivers precise application and eliminates overspray, reducing material use and emissions.
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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.
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