Manufacturers of metal parts and equipment need to find ways to make their mass production a efficient as possible while still delivering the level of quality that the end user desires. When it comes to painting each part, that means finding the right protective coating for metal with the most efficient method of application. Cortec® offers the following suggestions for making the most of Cortec’s Micro-Corrosion Inhibiting Coatings™ in the context of a dip tank application.
Benefits of a Dip Tank
In large scale manufacturing operations, dip tanks often have the advantage of more efficient and uniform coating applications. Cortec® Technical Service Manager, Rick Shannon, who has several decades of experience in coatings and related industries, recently shared the following key benefits of setting up a dip tank:
1. Dip tanks are highly efficient with minimal waste; dip lines can be set up for excess paint to drip back into the tank.
2. Dip tanks can provide complete coverage for geometries that are difficult for spray applications to cover in a uniform manner.
3. Parts that have a lot of open space (e.g., screens) are often coated using dip tanks. Spraying this type of product would be highly inefficient and would generate a lot of waste.
Dip Tank Maintenance Best Practices
However, simply having a dip tank is not the end all of efficient coatings application. For manufacturers to make the most of their dip tank, it is necessary to regularly monitor the tank to make sure the coating does not go bad. Shannon recommended creating a chart with the follow in items to be checked daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Viscosity (check daily, at minimum)
• pH (for water-based systems, check daily)
• Solids (check monthly)
The chart should also note the size of the tank, any additions made to the tank, and the date each physical property was checked or new paint was added. Shannon notes that these are only general suggestions, and if manufacturers notice that they are going through a large volume of coating because of high production levels, they may want to increase monitoring frequency. “By keeping track of the physical properties in your tank on a regular basis there will be less chance [that] the tank goes bad and you have to scrap the material and start over,” Shannon explained.
Cortec® Coatings Benefits
One advantage of using a Cortec® Coating in a dip tank is that Cortec® offers a variety of water-based, corrosion inhibiting options that can be matched to most custom colors. Depending on the coating choice, these water-based paints can reduce VOC levels and eliminate unpleasant solvent-based paint odors, creating a more worker-friendly environment. Of special note for manufacturers, EcoShield® 386 FD is a great option for fast-paced lines with force-dry applications that need good hot-hardness. Better yet, it contains only 0.04 lbs/gal (5 g/L) of VOCs.
Get Started with Your Dip Tank Application!
Manufacturers need to think of many different things, not least of which is finding the right coating and application method to paint their metal components. Using Cortec® Coatings in a dip tank application and following the recommended dip tank maintenance procedures is a great way to get the protective benefits of a Cortec® Coating while making the most efficient use of the product in certain situations. Contact Cortec® for help selecting a protective coating for metal and setting up a efficient dip tank application.
Keywords: dip tank best practices, metal manufacturers, best practices for metal manufacturers, Cortec Coatings, coatings for metal, how to apply paint efficiently, dip tank maintenance, water-based paints, worker friendly coatings, anti-rust coatings
Need a High-Resolution Photo? Please Visit: www.cortecadvertising.com
For a PDF version please click here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.