Questions Regarding Tinted E-Coat Processes

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E-Coat Processes. We are currently pursuing tinted E-Coat to replace a couple of our current finishes. What are the pros and cons of E-Coat?

How hard is it to maintain a tinted process? How hard is it to maintain a consistent color? How hard is it to maintain any E-Coat process? How many people truly use the tinted product in a large production process?

If contacted by a supplier one of the first questions will be 'If you have a tinted process over brass substrates in operation, we will want to visit these facilities'.

Gloria Schwedler
Engineering Technician - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

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I can tell you that it is not a new-fangled process, Ms. Schwedler. Rather, the plating supply company I was employed by 20 years ago already had it in production at a lamp factory to turn nickel plated lamps into "brass" lamps. I know that a lot of door hardware is produced this way, although I'm not sure which brands.

You are certainly on the right track with your questions, and in wanting to see it in production before committing to it. But I am confident that a supplier will be able to show you successful installations.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

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To: Gloria Schwedler

The "Pros" of E-Coat are numerous, however the applicability of E-Coating most certainly would depend upon the finishes you are considering for replacement.

The "Cons" of E-Coat is that a separate bath is required for each color, however there are exceptions to this as well. Considering most tinted baths are transparent to varying degrees, the color or finish of the substrate material as well as the coating thickness greatly affects the final finish.

Regarding maintenance. A properly designed and equipped E-Coat system requires essentially the same maintenance as a properly maintained plating bath. The solutions and the system must be monitored to assure a quality finish. I think you will agree that this is true for any manufacturing or process system. Consistent color is simply a result of using the same voltage to apply the coating and replenishing the bath with the same formula of dyes and pigments that originally made up the bath.

I hope I have been of some help to you.

Edward Muldoon
- Costa Mesa, CA USA

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