After writing about various methodes for paint removal, sandblasting and pickling, today we are going to write about that treatment which prepares our item for the final painting!

Cataphoresis

After removing :

• the old colour by a pyrolitic hot air car paint –which for us and depending on our experience- is the best technique.
• oxide/rust/impurities EVEN inside the car boxes – given the fact that we use the water immersion picklin

The best treatment to be done is : the process of cataphoresis (also known as  electrostatic paint immersion)

What is cataphoresis and what is it useful for?

Through cataphoresis, a paint layer will be deposited on the car shell through a chemical process of electrodeposition. It will be made in a bath with continual electricity.This process causes the creation of a protective paint layer on the surface and inside the car boxes, which will protect the car shell, giving to it a strong resistance to corrosion and other attacks and also allowing a bigger grip of the final painting.

How does the cataphoresis treatment work?

Specifically, the cataphoresis treatment consists on the car shell immersion inside a bath, which is connected to the negative pole of a generator . In it are to be found some immersed electrodes connected to a positive pole. Inside the bath there is a solution composed by pigments, resins, solvents and charges melted into water. The electrochemical process deriving, allows the paint deposit on our car shell, which later is stabilised thanks to the oven cooking. The treatment performance concerning the characteristics and appearance result is very satisfying. It is a real basis layer, so it will not be necessary for the body shop mechanic to paint an “extra” layer.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cataphoresis?

Cataphoresis allows us to create a homogenic layer on the entire  hidden and visible surface and maintaining a constant thickness. It gives to the car shell a good resistance to corrosion. Moreover the car shell and components treated with cataphoresis are plasterable, so it ist possible to make little repairings ALSO after the cataphoresis painting. If we have to find any flaw to this electrochemical process, we can state that only one cataphoresis layer can be painted on our car shell (the first of the repainting cycle).

In particular cases like tube-shaped structures (blind) in which paint can not penetrate completely, a valid suggestion is to make holes (5mm diameter), in which paint can flow without any problem.

Furthermore it is better to verify any weld joint presence, because the process final treatment (the cataphoretic film cooking) is made on 180°- this temperature is sufficient for melting weld; this includes the weld recovery itself.

After cataphoresis, if we must make any weld-joint, like all paint type, it is necessary to clean the part, because it is electrically isolated.

 

We all hope to have written some useful information for you. We remember you to contact us for any kind of information or clarifying.

 

.