Powder coating: how to clean metal?

Before applying powder paint, you need to thoroughly clean the part, because grease, dirt and other impurities can usually remain, which will become anti-adhesive agents. If many other substances remain between the painted layer and the surface, it will soon begin to chip. “Lacover” strives for our clients to always achieve excellence results. So, how to clean the iron so that the polymer film lasts as long as possible?

Sandblasting

High-pressure sandblasting on the surface is the most common cleaning method. Grains of sand, hitting the oxide, knock down small particles of rust and thus take it away bit by bit and carefully. Thus, the cleaning is uniform and creates a plane on which the powder paint rests nicely.

Such cleaning is well suited for large and heavy metal products, because it can be cleaned quickly and efficiently.

Etching with chemicals

Another way to clean metal from impurities and oxides is washing with acid or alkali. The two methods are not mutually exclusive – they are often combined. Chemical substances are used after sandblasting to wash away grease and corrosion residues and to obtain a more complete preparation of the surface for painting.

There are two types of processing — dipping and spraying. In the first case, a metal object is dipped in and held for some time. Each chemical cleaner has its own period of time, which should be asked from the manufacturer before purchase. In the second case, the product is washed with a stream of chemicals. The composition of solutions is based on various acids — sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric. Everyone has different efficiency, so it is worth choosing depending on the initial condition of the metal product.

Preliminary preparation of the metal is an important step that should not be missed, because with good preparation you will get a quality coating for years. “Lacover” is ready to support you in your most daring endeavors, we help regular customers to audit the paint shop. They also have a loyal price. Join by calling +38 (067) 536 53 64.