Ask The Expert
Reducing Hardness for Polyester Resin
ChemQuest’s Kevin Biller answers the question of how to reduce hardness on a polyester resin for powder coating.
Proper Chemical Handling for Plating
Every year, improper chemical handling in industrial environments leads to injury and significant financial loss. Read about how to stay safe.
Read MoreTorque Tension Modifiers
Matt Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the principles of torque tension and why it is a concern for platers who coat fasteners.
Read MoreTrends in Plating on Plastic
As plastics have become more ubiquitous, the demand for metal plating of plastics has increased.
Read MoreFilm 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.
Read MorePowder Coating Aluminium Adhesion Failure
PF columnist Rodger Talbert offers advice for mitigating adhesion failure of powder coating on aluminum parts.
Read MoreReducing 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.
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3-Stage Versus 5-Stage Washers
Columnist Rodger Talbert explains the difference between a five-stage washer and a three-stage washer, and how one provides better corrosion protection over the other.
Rodger Talbert
Columnist, Products Finishing magazine
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.
Read MoreHow 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.
Read More10 Anodizing Best Practices
Following this list of guidelines can help to increase the performance, cost effectiveness and quality for your anodizing operation.
Read MoreChoosing 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.
Read MoreAdvantages 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.
Read MoreRework 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.
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Dirt in the Powder Coated Film
Rodger Talbert shares how to identify dirt showing up on powder-coated film and where it comes from.
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.
Read MoreChanging 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.
Read More3 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.
Read More10 Ecoat Best Practices
Following this list of guidelines can help to increase the performance, cost effectiveness and quality for your ecoat operation.
Read MoreUnderstanding Robotic Vacuum Impregnation
Robotic vacuum impregnation can be used to seal porosity, minimize scrap, increase throughput and reduce costs.
Read More3 Reasons to Implement Vacuum Degreasing
Improvements in air emissions and waste when using vacuum degreasing also result in cost reduction.
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Masking Solutions for Medical Applications
This article from Custom Fabricating & Supplies answers the question about how to break into the medical market with the masking process.
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.
Read MoreTroubleshooting 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.
Read More5 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.
Read MoreRecoating Best Practices
Powder coating consultant Rodger Talbert offers advice for recoating successfully without excess orange peel or inconsistent gloss.
Read MoreControlling 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.
Read MoreOptimizing 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.
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