Metal Finishing Process

An explanation of the metal finishing process

Metal finishing process is a general phrase, which refers to the operation, equipment and chemicals necessary to prepare metal and plastics substrate for painting. The metal finishing process varies because of the substrates characteristics and the customer quality requirements. We at Vanchem Performance Chemicals will help you decide which metal finishing process is best for your metal finishing needs.

Though the specifics of the operation may vary, parts will undergo a general metal finishing process. The first step is cleaning except where customers have either a two or three stage washer. In this case, you must use one of Vanchem’s cleaner-coaters such as FOSTEX JSC, FOSTEX JSF, FOSTEX JMF, FOSTEX JM, FOSTEX JS, and FOSTEX ST. For a good technical explanation of three and five stage washers, see our technical article pretreatment system.

For our chemicals to work their best, effective cleaning is critical. Soils, oxides, oils and scales will impede the conversion coatings. The cleaning step of the metal finishing process normally involve processing through a spray washer or immersion system with a caustic based cleaner like VANCLEAN 41S or a mild alkaline cleaner if you are cleaning aluminum or galvanized steel like VANCLEAN S75NP. The second step of the metal finishing process is rinsing. The part will be thoroughly rinsed in city water to remove any remaining cleaner salts on the surface. The next stage in the metal finishing process is phosphating.FOSTEX 11, cleaner-coaters if you require extra cleaning, zinc phosphate for enhanced field performance (FOSTEX ZN), or a non-phosphate green technology like our GREENCOAT RF. Ask one of our service engineers to help you make the right choice. There are several choices for phosphating. You can use a straight iron phosphate like

After the phosphate step in the metal finishing process, the parts must be rinsed with city water again to remove all remaining phosphate salts before the sealing and final rinsing step. The next step is the sealing process where the parts are treated with our non-chrome technology like RINSEAL 7, or RINSEAL 9. Stage five is followed by DI or RO rinsing. Once the parts exit the washer, they must enter a dry-off oven to evaporate all water before painting.

Vanchem Performance Chemicals sells a variety of specialty additives and chemicals for use in the metal finishing process. Contact us in Burlington, Ontario, and let us help you decide which low-cost, high performance solution should be used in your metal finishing process.

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