#ASK THE EXPERT

Electroplating

Trends in Plating on Plastic

As plastics have become more ubiquitous, the demand for metal plating of plastics has increased.

Electroplating

Hexavalent to trivalent chromium — the environmental benefits

Regulatory pressures to switch from hexavalent chromium to trivalent alternatives are a growing concern for many finishing operations. In this Products Finishing Ask the Expert clinic, Brittany McKinney of Pavco discusses the environmental considerations driving these regulations.

Electroplating

How to Choose Between Sulfate and Chloride-Based Trivalent Chromium

There are several factors to consider when choosing between sulfate and chloride-based baths for trivalent chromium plating. Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the differences and what platers should keep in mind when evaluating options.

Anodizing

10 Anodizing Best Practices

Following this list of guidelines can help to increase the performance, cost effectiveness and quality for your anodizing operation.

Liquid Coating

Choosing Paint for Fast-Paced, Extra Slip, High Temp Applications

Many industrial applications require coatings that not only offer corrosion resistance and aesthetics, but provide additional attributes such as heat resistance and quick drying properties. This helpful clinic offers a few examples.

Liquid Coating

Advantages of UV-LED Spot Curing for Collision Repair

Carlisle Fluid Technologies’ Jacob Fortmeyer shares advantages, considerations and important equipment features for the UV-LED curing process.

Powder Coating

Rework and Recoating Powder

Powder coating rework requires more than just recoating the part. Products Finishing columnist and powder coating consultant Rodger Talbert discusses proper steps that should be taken to ensure a quality finish.

Powder Coating

Film Thickness Control

Have a powder coating job that requires precise film thickness control? Products Finishing columnist Rodger Talbert offers advice controlling the variables that can impact your success.

Rodger Talbert
Columnist, Products Finishing magazine

Finishing activity contracted again in January, Closing at 45.5

Finishing activity has shown encouraging signs the past two months, the longest ‘stretch’ since starting to contract in April 2023.

Liquid Coating

Changing From Liquid to Powder Coating

Will the powder coating perform better than your liquid system? Products Finishing columnist Rodger Talbert discusses considerations you should consider when making the switch.

Electroplating

3 Tests to Ensure Parts are Clean Prior to Plating

Making sure that all of the pre-processing fluids are removed prior to plating is not as simple as it seems. Rich Held of Haviland Products outlines three tests that can help verify that your parts are clean.

Electrocoating

10 Ecoat Best Practices

Following this list of guidelines can help to increase the performance, cost effectiveness and quality for your ecoat operation.

Understanding Robotic Vacuum Impregnation

Robotic vacuum impregnation can be used to seal porosity, minimize scrap, increase throughput and reduce costs.

Parts Cleaning

3 Reasons to Implement Vacuum Degreasing

Improvements in air emissions and waste when using vacuum degreasing also result in cost reduction.

Powder Coating

Powder Coating Aluminium Adhesion Failure

PF columnist Rodger Talbert offers advice for mitigating adhesion failure of powder coating on aluminum parts.

Rodger Talbert
Columnist, Products Finishing magazine

Powder Coating

Causes for Cross Contamination

Cross contamination of powder coatings is often the result of poor habits in the powder room. Powder coating consultant Rodger Talbert offers an example of how to mitigate cross contamination.

Troubleshooting the Drying Process

For some technicians who are new to spraying water coatings, it can be a huge learning curve, as the basics of reduction, spraying and drying are much different than those of the solvent world.

5 Things to Know About XRF Calibration

The proactive approach of validating measurement performance and calibrating only as often as necessary improves quality, consistency and reduces costs.

Powder Coating

Recoating Best Practices

Powder coating consultant Rodger Talbert offers advice for recoating successfully without excess orange peel or inconsistent gloss.

Electroplating

Controlling Zinc and Manganese Phosphate Baths

Phosphate baths have become more complex. Understanding some of the key features of these baths and how they can influence finished coating is important.

Liquid Coating

Optimizing Your Liquid Electrostatic System

For your electrostatic process to work consistently, there are three primary items to check: voltage at the applicator, part grounding, and compatibility of the coating material. John Owed of Carlisle Fluid Technologies walks you through the process.

Reducing VOCs

Coating materials (paint and solvent) are one of the most significant sources of VOC generation. John Owed of Carlisle Fluid Technologies offers advice for reducing VOC consumption.

Electroplating

Cobalt’s Role In Passivation

Learn about cobalt in passivation, why it is being replaced and the alternative technology that is taking its place in this column from Christian Kissig of Columbia Chemical.

Powder Coating

Surface Preparation for Best Adhesion for Powder Coating

Kevin Biller with ChemQuest recommends the proper way to prepare a surface for powder coating that leads to excellent adhesion on 304SST.

Powder Coating

Proper Sieve Size for Powder Coating's Smooth Results

Kevin Biller at ChemQuest Powder Coating Research gives recommendations for sieve size to ensure surface smoothness.

A Remarkable Rolls

Alex Innes, head of coachbuild design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, describes the specially commissioned La Rose Noire Droptail as “glamour distilled.” The finishes, outside and in, contribute largely to that charm.

Specialty Oven’s Hot Benefits and Other Questions Answered

Learn about the advantages of gas catalytic infrared pre-gel ovens in this article, including how they are energy efficient and can save users time and money when integrated into their existing systems.

Liquid Coating

The Best Method for Coating Full-Size Aircraft

John Owed from Carlisle Fluid Technologies analyzes the difference between using air-assisted airless, air spray and other technologies for coating a full-size aircraft. Which is better?

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