Pickled and Oiled For Powder Coat

[Chris W]

I have been cutting tons of 16ga and 14ga HR for the past few years. Mainly wall-hanging type stuff. I always cut, grind, hang and spray with a detergent/iron phosphate, rinse, and then powder coat. I have never had an issue with powder adhesion.

P&O is now cheaper and quicker to get. Is anyone using this as I described? I read that a few people are wiping it down with mineral spirits before they even cut it, but having to flip 4 x 8 sheets every time you through up a new one and wipe it down seems like a pain.

Can I use P&O without physically wiping any parts? If I have to add this additional step in my production line I am not sure it would be beneficial, even if the material is cheaper.

Any help is appreciated!

[34by151]

Been there done that tried everything from media blasting to wash and and various cleaners.

I do some custom artwork in Ally and Steel (mostly zinc coated) but most of my stuff is for industrial use
All parts are cleaned of scale before going into the jigs for welding
These are tumbled or prepped with a wire wheel

I use a water based anti splatter on the industrial parts
It washes right off

Powder coat prep is a 2 stage wash and dry
Parts are washed in a wash bay
stage 1 is a hot water pressure washer using detergent
Any eco type detergent will do these are not oil based
Stage 2 is the same without detergent
Drying involves blowing most of the water off using and air duster
Parts are then hung ready for a final dry and then go into powder coat

I usually makes parts in batches
Washing in the morning and coating in the afternoon

[sonbakler]

So P&O is not a petroleum based oil coating?

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Sure acts like a petroleum based oil.. My suppliers no longer stock it

I would cut it then clean the finished product with mineral spirits Like you say. Do you preheat metal to gas it off prior to coating?

[34by151]

I dont pre heat, just use an air duster to get rid of most of the water and off to the the coating booth once its dry

[Chris W]

34by151 - Thanks for the information. Also good to know that you do not pre-heat. I pre-heat most of the time but have not had any issues when I skip that step.

[34by151]

The best ting I ever did was buy a hot water pressure washer
Fast and easy clean of the parts

If the parts are not welded just a hot water wash, dry and coat
For welded parts I add a suds step to get the anti splatter off

This is the cleaner I have
https://spitwater.com.au/products/10-120-h/

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Looks like a nice rig, my Hotsey on a fresh rebuild will make your arms tired hanging onto the wand. I use their Phosphatizer No. 2 to clean before paint jobs, I had a powder coat guy tell me what he used it was similar but had a different name..

[34by151]

I used to phosphate but dont bother more

I'm either doing signs or earthmoving parts, neither have suffered from the hot wash method
BTW Before I got the hot water pressure I tried using a hand wash with pain warm soapy water.
Gave up on the commercial cleaners after that and bought the new pressure washer.
Also at that pin I added a 3rd booth, so I now have the oven, Coating/Spray Booth and a washdown booth
Prior to adding a dedicated wash booth I just used an IBC with the Top cutoff