The 3 Step Process of Electronic Car Rust Protection Systems
Are you interested in rust proofing your car, but are not sure what type of rust protection methodology to opt for? Then consider a method that applies a primer electronically, or also known as e-coating. This is the most popular rust proofing method used today because of the strong bond that is formed between the metal bodywork and the primer system. As a result, the ability to resist rust is better than with other options. Here is how electronic rust protection works.
1. Pretreatment
For there to be high quality adherence of the primer to the bodywork the surface has to be prepped. Typically this is done by etching the metal bodywork with a mild acid, which is done by dipping the entirety of the body in a pool of acid. However, if the rust protection is applied to the different parts of the bodywork in stages, then the bodywork can also be dipped into the acid pool in stages.
2. Paint Application
After the acid dip, the bodywork will need to be dipped into another pool where the paint will be applied that provides the rust-proof property. Furthermore, some manufacturers might rotate the bodywork while in the pool in order to ensure that the coverage of the paint application process is complete. The bonding itself is done via an electromagnetism process, which is completed by charging the bodywork with one polarity and then the bath with the opposite one. It is the difference in the polarity that allows the paint and the bodywork to come together to form a very strong bond.
An advantage of this type of dip rust protection application is that 100% coverage will be achieved. Whereas, with manual spray techniques it will not be possible to get into all the crevices, and that's where rust will begin to form.
3. Post-Treatment
Once the paint has been applied, another dip is required in order to clean the surface of any contaminants. Consequently, the bodywork is placed into the oven in order to cure the paint. This is advantageous because the heat will also reduce the drying time. From a manufacturing point of view this reduces costs because it helps speed up the production line. That in turn can reduce the cost of the rust protection on your end.
These 3 steps are an outline of a general process, different manufacturers will have their own way of doing rust protection.