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Why E-Coating is Perfect for Your Restoration Project
What is E-Coating?
Electrophoretic coating often referred to as E-coat or E-coating is one of the most effective metal panel finishes currently available on the market.
Due to the way, the e-coat is applied, the process offers up to one hundred per cent coverage of the surface of the panels. This is crucial if your project has several hard-to-reach areas such as bends, cavities, and seams of the vehicle’s body.
Unlike other types of paint application, E-coat is applied with uniformity of coat thickness which means the vehicle or part is getting optimal protection throughout but also guarantees a flawless finish.
Extreme Corrosion Protection
E-coat offers extreme corrosion protection providing up to 1,000 hours of salt spray resistance. The E-coating paint system has found wide application in industries that require very high levels of corrosion protection for their components, such as the automotive industry.
The process usually involves several stages:
- Alkali degreasing cleaner
- Two-stage water rinse
- Conditioner and refiner rinse
- Zinc phosphate pre-treatment for paint adherence and corrosion resistance
- Further Water rinse
- De-mineralised water rinse
- Ultra-filtration rinse
After the metal is properly prepared the Electropainting process can take place.
The E-coat Process
Terms such as electrode position, electrophoretic coating, electrocoating, and electro-painting describe the process whereby a pigment is applied to a component utilising an electromagnetic field.
The terms e-coat and e-coating also often refer to this process, while electropainting is usually achieved by submerging the component into the electro-paint bath and applying an electrical charge through the bath itself.
The Type of Electrode
There are two main types of electrocoating: anodic and cathodic. The anodic process was the first on the market, but now the cathodic process is used more widely.
Anodic Process
In the anodic process, negatively charged paint is deposited on the positively charged component (called the anode).
Cathodic Process
In the cathodic process, positively charged material (paint) is deposited on the negatively charged component (in this case, the cathode). We prefer the cathodic process, which is often described as cathodic dip painting or CDP, cataphoretic coating, cathodic dip coating, cathodic electrodeposition, or cataphoresis.
The e-coating protects the metal surface, edges, and cavities from corrosion. Combined with the multistage pre-treatment process, it provides an excellent base for applying subsequent paint layers. The pre-treatment process before electro-painting plays a critical role and includes several steps to clean the car bodyshell, promote adhesion and provide a prime barrier against corrosion.
Optimal Corrosion Protection
Later, the cathodic electrodeposition coat (e-coat) can be administered effectively. It is essential that the intelligent combination of both, pre-treatment and e-coat, can ensure excellent metal-painted surface quality and optimal corrosion protection.
The E-Coat Process is used by all major automotive manufacturers in the world. It is estimated that over 95% of the world’s motor cars are protected with the cathodic electro-coat process.
Conclusion
The classic car restoration market is the natural customer base for the process as it addresses the main threat for any freshly restored classic car which is corrosion.
Caledonia Coachworks offer its customers a full surface treatment process guaranteed to remove corrosion from your body shell before the E-coating application that will help minimise potential corrosion and improve the future value of the car.
When protecting your classic car from corrosion don’t take any risks and always opt for the inclusion of an e-coat when considering a restoration.
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