Technical Guidelines

As part of our continuing efforts to improve quality and service, this has been prepared by our Quality Assurance Department as a guideline for incoming orders. We understand that in certain situations, compliance with all guidelines may not be possible, but adhering to the guidelines will ensure the best possible service and coating results.

Labeling & Purchase Order – Important
All parts to be coated should arrive at Westside Finishing Co. Inc. clearly labeled. Each package should be labeled with your company name, the color required, and your Purchase Order number.

Please ensure the Purchase Orders arrive with your order. Purchase Orders must include a detailed description of parts to be coated (i.e. quantity, size, color, and part numbers if applicable) and any special packaging instructions.

Packaging
Please ensure that the packaging, containers, or skids you supply with your product provide proper protection against damage. For example, if your material is placed on a skid it should not be larger than the skid. Packages must provide suitable protection against damage to the material during transport.

Markers, Packaging Debris, Non-Soluble Lubricants
All materials to be coated should be free of mill markings and inks, such as those from markers or other writing materials. These inks can show through the finished coating (especially when the parts are coated in lighter colors) and therefore should be avoided. Mill marking should not be removed by sanding operations. It is ineffective and the marking will still show through the powder coated finish. Solvent removal is the only effective method to remove these markings. Orders will be subject to extra charges if rework is required due to any marking from mill or fabrication.

Parts must also be free of packaging materials and shipping debris. Our paint line personnel inspect parts as they are loaded, but problems can and do occur with residual packaging materials. One specific example is clear tape which is very difficult to detect and will always result in failure of the coating due to poor adhesion and surface imperfections. Please work with us to minimize this problem, and ensure the best possible coating results. Our pre-treatment system is designed to effectively remove most common oils and surface contaminants. As an aqueous (water-based) process, it will not remove heavy strips of non-soluble oils.

Weld Spatter
All Welds should be clean and the surrounding area is to be free of weld spatter whenever possible.

Oxidation and Hot-Rolled Steel
Any type of oxidation (e.g. rust, white rust) will have a negative effect on the quality of the powder coating. Our extensive pre-treatment process cannot remove oxides or scale, and if a substrate is severely corroded the end product will have predictably less corrosion resistance and a lower quality finish. The solution to scale and oxides is mechanical finishing (e.g. sandblasting, soda blasting) of the base metal which requires a separate process not available at Westside Finishing Co. Inc. We can and will subcontract blasting as required.

Drainage & Contact Points
All parts which may trap water or coolant, including tubing, must be drained, as powder will not adhere where water or coolant is present. Water or coolant also prevents curing of the powder since the parts will not reach cure temperature. The parts are hung on an overhead conveyor, and the part configuration (drain holes) must be considered as new parts are introduced.

Powder coating requires that the parts be electrically grounded, and parts should have a small hole where the hook or fixture can make contact. Holes for racking are also required. Otherwise contact marks are unavoidable and WSF is not responsible for such marks.