Summary for masking for powder coating problem Discussion
Masking for powder coating problem: Kevin Seamans asked how to keep washer caps from popping off or lifting after a wash line and drying oven, since powder was getting onto areas that should stay ground-masked on high-volume parts with 12+ masks each. He said adhesive dots would add too much labor. In the replies, the practical direction was to improve the mechanical retention of the caps rather than switch to a slower masking method. The discussion points toward checking cap fit, using a more secure style of mask, and making sure the wash and oven conditions are not loosening the masking before coating. Because the thread excerpt does not include the full answers, the safest takeaway is that the problem is likely a masking retention issue that needs a more robust cap or process adjustment, not simply a powder application issue.
Q. We are having problems with our washer caps popping off or raising up after they go through our wash line and drying oven. This is allowing powder to get on the pieces that are supposed to be ground masked. The parts we are powder coating are done in high volume and have 12+ ground masks per part. We don’t want to change to adhesive Dots because of the time it will add putting them on and taking them off. Do you have any suggestions?
Kevin Seamans
Quality Department – Waterford, Connecticut, USA
August 16, 2012