Electrocoat Dirt Monitoring Dirt in the Electrocoat Film impacts Product Quality. Dirt Counts Specific locations on the job or parts are used for monitoring Dirt Count - typically expressed in #/sqft Dirt Analysis

Dirt:

Dirt Foreign Particles that are deposited in the film during deposition.....

Substrate

Or

.....Settle on the film after deposition in the rinses, carrier transfer, or electrocoat oven.

Identification of Dirt Types * Weld Balls * Metal Filings * Carrier/Rack Dirt * Oven Dirt * E-Coat Particles * Unknown

Dirt Analysis Conducted directly on the job or part location Conducted on a 30cm x 30cm panel processed through the system at the same location and orientation every time. Dirt ID conducted with a 30x - 100x microscope Scalpel can also be utilized for cutting

open dirt.

In order to effectively evaluate how clean

or dirty a film is, it must be regularly

quantified.

Dirt Template

Dirt Control Parameters Incoming jobs or parts condition - removal of metal filings & weld balls prior to the Electrocoat Tank Electrocoat Tank cleanliness - maintenance of build-up Electrocoat Tank circulation - dirt & paint particle suspension Electrocoat Tank filtration - appropriate micron size Electrocoat Bath pH - > 6.1 causes paint instability Oven & Carrier/Rack maintenance Overall Electrocoat System housekeeping - vestibule walls, conveyor drip pans, flash zone to ovens and etc.