You see it on TV during commercials, a truck driven by beautiful people on a muddy mountain road, thrilling music playing in the background, then a closeup of the automaker’s logo.
Those commercials have got to be developed by people who never leave the city because those of us living in Wisconsin, or other four-season states, enjoy those drives the morning of every snowstorm.
Replace those cheerful people in those commercials with me; instead of smiling, I’m grimacing because my knuckles are cramping from clenching the steering wheel to prevent my car from flying off I-39 south of Wausau. Plows are out but ineffective against Mother Nature.
After a few weeks of winter driving, a carwash reveals a vehicle devoid of rust, despite the mountains of slush thrown against it.
It’s almost as if there’s a protective barrier between the metal and the weather. In fact, that concept is SO crazy; it just might be true! This is where the exciting music you do not hear in the background fades, and you meet the subject of this article: E-Coating.
E-coating is a method of applying protective coatings to metal parts and components. It is an efficient and cost-effective way to extend the equipment’s life and improve the finished product’s aesthetics. Here’s a quick look at the top ten benefits of e-coating and how it helps you unlock the power of metal coating.
Introduction to C-Coating
E-coating, also known as electrocoating, uses electricity to deposit a protective coating on metal parts and components. This process gives the finished product superior corrosion resistance and superior aesthetics. E-coating is an efficient, cost-effective alternative to traditional metal coatings such as powder coating and painting.
What is E-Coating?
E-coating applies a protective coating, typically polyurethane or epoxy paint, to metal surfaces, an advanced form of electroplating, depositing metal particles onto a substrate. The e-coating process coats metal parts and components with a protective coating resistant to corrosion and other environmental factors.
The e-coating process begins with a metal part or component immersed in a bath of electrically charged paint particles. Submerging the part attracts the electrically charged particles to the metal surface and forms an even coating.
To provide superior protection and aesthetics, the automotive, medical, and industrial industries use e-coating because it’s a fast and efficient process that results in a uniform, consistent coating.
E-Coating Benefits
E-coating offers several benefits over traditional metal coatings, such as powder coating and painting. Here are the four benefits of e-coating.
Extending the Life of Equipment
E-coating is a great way to extend the life of equipment because of the protective coating applied to the metal part or component. The coating protects the metal from corrosion, abrasion, and other environmental factors. E-coating is efficient and cost-effective in extending your equipment’s life and improving the finished product’s aesthetics.
Used with a Wide Range of Substrates
One of the great benefits of e-coating is that it can apply to various substrates, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, which makes an e-coat a versatile solution for many industries.
Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Metals
E-coating is a great option for applying protective coatings to ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The e-coat process uses electricity to deposit a protective coating on metal parts and components, giving the finished product superior corrosion resistance and aesthetics.
Improving Aesthetics
E-coating is a great way to improve the aesthetics of a metal part or component. The uniform, consistent coating applied to the metal part or component improves the overall look and feel of the finished product. A quick peek at a salt spray test confirms e-coats effectiveness.
E-Coating is a Fast Process
The e-coat process is fast and efficient, resulting in a uniform, consistent coating that is highly resistant to corrosion and abrasion. Properly designed facilities offer e-coat and powder coat on a single conveyor line. Components travel through curing ovens after their bath and then through the powder coating system. The extra time required for applying an e-coat becomes negligible.
Conclusion
As a member of the same audience watching those commercials, I’m comfortable saying we all fall prey to the shiny lights, dazzling teeth, pounding music, and spraying mud automakers use when promoting their products.
However, it’s the small things that elude us. We never pay attention to the science and application of the protection e-coating provides for our valuable purchases, extending their usefulness. As invaluable as e-coating has become, we take it for granted, don’t we?
Now, if only there were a way for an e-coat to clear the roads during Wisconsin blizzards!