FAQs on ELECTROCLEAR and ELECTROCOLOR - PPG TrueFinish Industrial Coatings
Search   

TrueFinish > Products > Electroclear & Electrocolor > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions

What is ELECTROCLEAR®?

• Water-based cathodic coating bath
• Electro-deposited clear acrylic coating
• Coating from 5 – 25 microns DFT
      o Hard
      o Mirror finish
      o Perspiration resistant
      o Abrasion resistant
      o Impact resistant

What is ELECTROCOLOR®?

Coupling ELECTROCLEAR® resin with our latest ANDARO™ special effect pigments, we get…ELECTROCOLOR®
• Highly transparent color coatings
• Dye-like appearance with pigment-like performance
• Intense color allowing for lower pigment loading
• Finishes not previously achievable by e-coat such as candy colors, flat anodized looks, and plated metal looks

What is e-coat?

The fundamental principle of electrocoating – materials with opposite charges attract.

For a cathodic system like EC2700, the part is negatively-charged and the paint bath is positively-charged.

 

What are the target markets for this product?

• Decorative hardware
• As a replacement for anodized finishes
• As a replacement for plated finishes
• Automotive trim
• Aluminum extrusions
• Appliances
• Consumer electronics
 

What substrates can this be applied over?

 • Applied over plated and base metal substrates
      o Gold
      o Silver
      o Nickel
      o Aluminum
      o Copper
      o Brass
      o Steel (Stainless)
      o Tin
      o Bronze 
    
      *Note: Different pretreatment may be required for various metals

How do I control the EC2700 Bath?

• Add concentrate to replace coated-out solids
• Maintain pH and conductivity by removing free acid using anolyte cell or by dumping permeate.
• Maintain solvent level due to evaporative losses. This is minimal, typically less than one liter per week for a 50 gal. tank.


How do I control film thickness?

• Adjust voltage, higher for thicker films
• Second option would be to increase temperature for thicker coating (but stay within the recommended temperature range of 80°F – 90°F).


What pretreatments are needed?

Some metals require special processing like brass, but for most metals you need a degreaser and sometimes an adhesion promoter. Contact PPG for more details about your substrate.


Does this process require a bake?

Yes, the parts must be cured at 320°F (metal temperature) for 20 minutes.


Can I coat plated plastic parts?

Yes, but most plastics cannot withstand the cure temperature so, check the temperature limits of the plastic substrate first.


What do I need in terms of equipment to get started?

• This process can be run in very small scale, as small as lab beakers. Your part will determine your tank size needed.
• A rectifier (or power supply) that converts AC power to DC power.
• An oven to cure the parts
• A rinsing tank or station


Who can I contact to design/purchase a line?

• PPG can assist with equipment design and make recommendations for a complete process.
• We can also supply you with equipment suppliers’ contact information.


How is the chemistry supplied? (volumes/containers)

• The resin is supplied in 5 gallon pails or 50 gallon drums.
• The Gemstone Color Collection tints are supplied in one-gallon containers.





Email us your questions Local Service is Standing By
Call us whenever you need us at 1-866-PPG-TRUE (774-8783). We’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done right.


 Contact Us             Request Product Info



 

 

      Contact us with questions Local Service Standing By


      Our team can help.

      1-866-PPG-TRUE (774-8783)

        Contact Us

      Browse the industries we serve
      PPG TrueFinish Fits You


      Whatever your size or industry, you can count on PPG TrueFinish

        Browse Industries

      PPG Industries  |  Headquarters • One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15272 USA  |  ©2001-2009 PPG Industries • All Rights Reserved  |  Legal Notices & Privacy Policies