QUESTIONING THE
OBVIOUS: THE WAY TO
PERFECT PRODUCT
FINISHING
Malcolm Griffiths & Graham Armstrong
Why the Obvious?
Many Surface Coatings Problems Occur Because:
The Correct Specification Is Never Established

No Testing Regime Has Been Put In Place

A Multi Way Event
Involve:
The End Specifier
The Product Manufacturer
The Coatings Applicator
The Coatings Manufacturer
What To Consider?
The Use of The Coated Component
The Environment It Is To Be Used In
A Sensible Testing Regime For: Type Testing
Batch Testing
The Ability For All Parties To Keep To
Requirements
Documentation/Record Keeping

Some Examples Of It Going Wrong!
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
Vehicle Cabs
Over-coating Pre-Coated Steel
Architectural Acoustic Panels
Aluminium Windows
Playground Equipment
Vehicle Cabs
TGIC Polyester Powder Coated Steel Cab
Glazed Windows Set Into A Silicone Sealant
No Compatibility Testing between Powder &
Sealant (Type or Production)
Vehicle Cabs
Change In Quality Of Powder to A TGIC Free
Version (Environmental & Safety Issues)
New Grade Powder Contained Surface Additives
Change Effected with No Thought To Testing
Result: No Adhesion Of Sealant To Powder
Windows All Fell Out!!!
Over-Coating Pre-Coated Steel
Polyester Powder Applied Over Pre-Coated Steel
Trade Coater Application
No Built In Controls On Oven
Oven Varying In Temperature
Over-Coating Pre-Coated Steel
Result:
Varying Adhesion Of Powder
Coating To Pre-Coated Substrate
Some Random Total Adhesion
Loss
Simple Regular Oven Testing (Data Logger)
Would Have Eliminated Problems
Architectural Acoustic Panels
Steel Wall Panels For Use in Prestigious University Foyer
Design Featured Multi Hole Acoustic Effect
Polyester Powder Coating The Chosen Finish
Colour Selected From RAL Range
Multiple Batches of Powder Coating
Application Through One (Respected) Powder Trade Coater
Architectural Acoustic Panels
Lack Of Correct Control Of Colour:
At Powder Manufacturer
At Applicator
At Site Inspection
Included A Lack Of Knowledge Of Colour
Judgement Both Instrumentally & Visually
Architectural Acoustic Panels
Result:
“Patchwork Quilt” Effect
on Built Wall
Architectural Acoustic Panels
Aluminium Windows
Acrylic Finish Black For Aluminium Mullion
Window Sections
Coating Applied At Trade Coater, But PreTreatment Applied At Another Coater
No Durability Testing Over “Aged” Chromate PreTreatment (Including Variations In Dwell Time)
Aluminium Windows
Result:
Rapid Corrosion Of Aluminium
Extrusions Under Acrylic Coating;
Visible As White Spotting On
Black Surface
All Windows Required Stripping and ReCoating: £250K COST
Playground Equipment
Manufacturers Of Heavy Duty Playground
equipment (Council Use)
Heavy Section Tubular Steel Construction
Original Specification:
Zinc Rich Powder Primer
Polyester Powder Finish
Playground Equipment
Cost Saving Generated Change To Primer:
From:
Zinc Rich (Proven Corrosion
Performance)
To:
“Standard” Powder Primer
No Performance Testing Completed Before Change
Effected
Playground Equipment
Result:
Severe Corrosion Problems In Service
Severely Reduced Life Cycle Of
Equipment
Zn Rich
Std
WHERE TESTING IS THE
NORM
Aerospace Industry
Type & Batch Testing
Pre-Treatments & Coatings

Coated Components

Documentation/Traceability

Result: Minimal Component & Coating Failure
Conclusions
Involve All Parties
Agree Specifications and Testing Regimes
(Prototype Phase & Production Phase)
Document Process & Test Results
Question The Obvious

Result:
PERFECT PRODUCT FINISHING
For More Information

Please contact Indestructible Paint 0121 702 2485