Ensure long lasting results with PCS's
Pre-Treatment
process
Experience the difference with expert Pre-Treatment processes
Our meticulous chemical preparation process ensures long-lasting results for your metal and aluminium projects. From large frames to intricate designs, our high standards in pre-treatment guarantee a consistently high-quality finish.
At PCS we take pre-treatment seriously!
Surface Cleaning
We start by thoroughly cleaning the surface to remove any dirt, grease, or contaminants. This is essential for achieving optimal adhesion and a clean finish.
Chemical Pre-treatment
The next step involves applying a chemical solution to treat the metal surface. This enhances corrosion resistance and promotes better adhesion of the powder coating. We offer specialised treatments for different materials. Where possible, we submerge your product in a chemical bath. This ensures we reach every nook and corner for maximum protection. This method is especially useful for products with hollow tubes and frames. When it is not possible to submerge into a chemical bath, then we have alternative methods developed over the years. We make sure we still get good durability in the product, but it may just be more labour intensive.
- Aluminum Pre-Treatment: We prefer using a 6-stage chromate process, which includes an acid bath and a D.I. water rinse. This ensures no residual contaminants remain on the surface. Residual contaminants could lead to defects like “fisheyes,” pinholes, or adhesion failure. This chromating process is key to how we can achieve Dulux Alumi Shield 25 year durability warranty on architectural grade aluminium. We also offer non-chrome and spray-etch pre-treatment process for large items that can’t fit or be submerged into our pre-treatment tanks.
- Steel Pre-Treatment: Involves a 7-stage zinc phosphate pre-treatment process. Alternative pre-treatment processes are available using Tergophos or spray-etch. These options are for items that can’t fit or be submerged in our pre-treatment tanks.
Rinsing
During and after the chemical pre-treatment, we rinse the products with water and/or deionized (D.I.) water. This helps remove impurities and minerals that could cause defects. It ensures a clean surface for better powder coating adhesion. This results in a higher-quality finish and improved corrosion resistance, extending the lifespan of the coated product.
Drying
The treated metal is then dried completely in a controlled environment to prevent any moisture from affecting the powder coating application. Items that are not dried properly will create havoc in the curing process and will ruin the finish of the powder coat. This is one of the most time consuming processes.
Inspection
Before proceeding with the coating process, we conduct a thorough inspection to ensure the surface is properly pre-treated and ready for the next stage – Powder coating!