Paint Finishing Challenges for Manufacturers

Paint finishing is a vital step in the manufacturing process but often causes challenges for manufacturers. Navigating technical and environmental hurdles as well as logistics can be difficult, as well as ensuring a durable, quality finish for each product. Here are some common challenges and how to overcome them in your finishing process. 

1. Surface Preparation
Before any paint is applied to the surface of a component or product, preparing the surface is critical to the finished product. Any contaminants like dust, oil, or any imperfection can reduce the adhesion of the finish and lead to peeling or defects. Manufacturers need pretreatment and cleaning systems designed for metal, plastic, or composite materials they are using to ensure a consistent finish. 

2. Application Inconsistencies
Paint applications can sometimes have inconsistencies from too little or too much paint on the surface of a component. This can affect the durability of the finished product and can happen with manual and robotic applications. Common issues can be due to spray gun calibration, the paint consistency, inconsistent air pressure, and operator error. 

3. Environmental Factors
Temperature and humidity can impact your paint finishes. If it is too cold the paint can have trouble curing, but if it is too hot or humid, paint can bubble or corrode due to moisture in the process. Maintaining climate control is crucial for manufacturers to ensure seasonal changes in weather don’t impact the finishes. 

4. Material and Paint Compatibility
As manufacturers use new materials like carbon fiber and bio-based plastics, the paint has to be formulated to handle those materials. There can be new surface treatment requirements or paint changes to accommodate these new materials and ensure adhesion, chemical compatibility, and possible testing of new alternative finishes.

As the manufacturing industry evolves with new materials and paint finishing technologies, careful consideration must be taken for surface preparation, application, and environmental challenges. Staying ahead of new capabilities in the finishing industry can help manufacturers improve processes, avoid defects, and save costs. Rohner designs and builds custom finishing systems for manufacturers based on your specific needs. Our engineering team can identify ways to automate your process, ensure durable finishes, and integrate new technologies into your current process. Talk to our team to learn more and reduce challenges in your finishing process.

Have questions? Please contact the Rohner team: info@rohner-usa.com