Ad-Tech Industries - Industrial Coating & Finishing Services
Our E-Coating Process
When creating products, there is a substantial benefit to ensuring that they are protected from corrosion, that they perform well, and that they look polished. E-coating, also known as electrocoating, processes can help products check all three boxes.
Ad-Tech Coating Solutions, located in Watertown, Wisconsin, knows the importance of the e-coating process and even has a line dedicated to it. If you’re considering e-coating for your product, learn a little more about it below.
When to Select E-Coating for Your Products
When you’re looking to finish or coat a product, e-coating is one of several options you can consider; it can be used as a primer or topcoat. E-coating started in the automotive industry, specifically coating steel car bodies. It has grown to be part of other industries, including:
- Lawn and Garden
- Military
- Agriculture
E-coating has the ability to completely coat an item, even in hard-to-reach places. This is due to the use of liquid immersion. Liquid can often get to places that powders struggle to reach. If you have an item with many hard-to-reach surfaces, e-coating may provide the complete and consistent coverage you need.
4-Step E-Coating Process
E-coating is a 4-step process. During the e-coating process, the paint will be deposited on the item’s surface using an “opposites attract” principle. The product can be given a negative charge to attract positively charged paint molecules, so the coating gets everywhere.
Step One: Pretreatment
The first step is pretreatment. The metal surfaces are cleaned, and then a conversion coating is applied that promotes adhesion. This prepares the item for electrocoating.
Step Two: Electrocoat Bath
Next, an electrocoat bath is created. It is made of deionized water and paint solids. The water functions as a carrier for the paint solids and helps it connect with every part of the item being coated. It can get into spaces that are difficult for human hands or powder to reach. The paint solids include resin, which protects from corrosion, and pigments, which add color and gloss.
The item is then placed into the e-coat bath for total coverage.
Step Three: Post-Rinse
After applying the e-coat, the item is removed from the bath and rinsed. This post-e-coat rinse removes any extra paint solids left on the surface. These rinses ensure that your product has an even and consistent coating on all surfaces.
Any unused paint solids are returned, making the e-coat process very efficient and environmentally friendly.
Step Four: Curing
Once the final rinse is complete, the item moves to the ovens to cure. The oven cures the paint, boosting its performance.
On average, the bake time is a minimum of 20 minutes. Time and temperature may be adjusted depending on the item.
Contact Us to Receive a Quote for Your Next E-Coating Project
If you have a project that you believe is best served by e-coating, contact us at Ad-Tech Coating Solutions. We can help those around Watertown, WI, and beyond determine how e-coating can help with their next project.
Request an e-coating services quote by contacting us today.
