In our continuing efforts to improve quality and service, this section has been prepared by our Quality Assurance Department as a guideline for incoming items to be coated.  Some of the items in the following list are understandably unavoidable in certain cases, but attention to all of these details can only affect the quality of your valuable parts in a positive way.

Labelling – Important!

All parts to be coated should arrive at Colourific well labelled.  For example, your company name needs to be clearly indicated on each separate   package, the colour the product is to be coated, and your purchase order number would also be helpful.  Ensure that Purchase Orders arrive with your order.  Purchase Orders must include a detailed description of parts to be coated i.e. quantity, size, colour, part numbers if applicable, and any special packaging instructions.  This is a MUST.  This will insure that your material is easily identified, and will help us to complete your metal coating more efficiently.

Packaging

Please ensure that the packaging, containers, or skids you supply with your product provides proper protection against damage.  (For example, if your material is placed on a skid it should not be larger than the skid, or “hang over” the space of the skid.)  Note that material will be repackaged in the packaging containers you provide.  Therefore, packages must provide suitable protection against damage to the material as well as the coated finish.

Markers

All materials to be coated should be free of inks, such as those from markers or other writing materials.  These inks can show through on the finished coating, (especially when the parts are coated in lighter colours) and therefore should be avoided whenever possible.

Weld Spatter

All welds should be clean and the surrounding area is to be free of weld spatter whenever possible.  The heat involved can not only change substrate properties, but also incorporate contaminants into the part surface (our pre-treatment process is only designed for removal of surface contaminants and is not a suitable substitute for mechanical cleaning).  This will invariably compromise the integrity of the final powder coating as manifested by bare spots and pinholes in extreme cases.

Packaging Debris

All parts to be coated should be free of packaging materials and shipping debris.  While our loaders inspect parts as they are hung on the line, certain problems have arisen.  The major culprit has been clear tape of various sizes and sorts as they are nearly impossible to detect, especially in large orders.  The end result of this melted tape on the substrate is always complete coating failure (e.g. zero powder adhesion).  In conjunction with you, the customer, Colourific hopes to minimize this problem.  We only request that this issue be addressed and awareness increased.

Oxidation and Hot-Rolled Steel

Any type of oxidation (e.g. rust, white rust, etc.) can only affect the final product quality in a negative manner.  Our pre-treatment process cannot remove oxides or scale, and if a substrate is severely corroded (or has been lying around in a shop for an extended period) the end product will have predictably less corrosion resistance and a lower quality finish.  The only solution is mechanical re-finishing of the substrate, which cannot be done at Colourific. 

Galvanized and Zinc Substrates

Poor quality of galvanized and zinc coatings adversely affects the final product and in no way is Colourific liable for lesser coating quality on these substrates.  Ultimately, the customer is responsible for the condition of the substrate before it arrives at our site.

Drainage

All parts fabricated from tubing should have drain holes, as powder will not adhere to a tube with water trapped inside.  Also, all parts must be hung on the line and as such the configuration must be considered each time a new part is introduced to our process.  The sales manager will inform the customer of any special requirements when the purchase order is placed.

This is only a guideline for you, the customer.  Colourific is always willing to assist in any way with the problems you may have and understandably, these problems may be unavoidable in certain circumstances.  The purpose of this letter is to inform, not to delegate responsibility.  Through increased awareness of these potential pitfalls, quality and efficiency of service to you can only be improved.

We greatly appreciate and value your continued business.