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Masking problems on powder coated bus bars

Q. My company has taken on a job for powder coating tin coated copper bus bars. I am using a powder from Rohm & Haas and must have 10 mils of powder to satisfy our client. There are areas to mask on both ends for electrical contact areas. My problem is that we are having a terrible time removing the masking. The cured powder is so thick and tough the masking is tearing before the end of the mask line. We have tried using red, yellow and green tapes from Shercon but with all the same results. I would like some ideas or tips on what we could try next if anyone has had this problem before.

Chris Gallagher
- North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
2004

A. Hi, Chris. Maybe custom made removable silicone caps would be a better answer for this situation? Or maybe a wax dip as the masking agent? This would melt away taking the paint with it, although it might be messy in the powder curing oven, collecting the dripping wax before the higher temperatures are reached.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
May 19, 2010

Q. We are having the same issue with copper bus bars. Was there ever a clear solution to Chris's problem?

Thanks

Gordon J Wood
custom metal fab - toronto, ontario, canada
August 24, 2013

A. Try multiple layers of tape if a hard fixture is not practical.

Willie Alexander
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
August 26, 2013

A. The technique I use when powder coating bus bars is on the ends that need to be masked off I use aluminum foil wrapped around the copper then I use yellow clear tape that's a high heat resistant tape wrapped around the foil its way easier and faster this way I'll post pics later to show what I'm talking about.

Vincent bermudez
Myers power products - Fontana California usa
February 25, 2019

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