metal prep NEED HELP PLEASE

[bzer1]

Originally Posted by sdold

When you guys use Ospho, do you spray it on and let it dry? If so, how do you prevent the thick crud that accumulates at the bottom of the part?

Or do you let the Ospho sit for a while, then rinse?

I tried the second method once and seemed to get a thin layer of rust when it dried.

Steve

Steve,

Any conversion coating/cleaner/prep solution will give you that lovely chrystilin munge where the drips collect. What you are seeing is the corrosion/dirt/whatever that is actually being converted. That is the exact reason why I wipe it on instead of spraying. Most of these products when used in powder coating are sprayed on then sent through a dryer, to avoid that happening. It really doesn't take alot of material to create the surface conversion, so I no longer spray. I use a lint free rag soaked with picklex and just wipe the part down. It does take some extra time when I'm doing a frame or a really intricate piece but it beats having to deal with that rock hard junk on the workpiece. When I first started my shop I built a heated phosphate dip tank, It worked very well, but was a little unweildy and not big enough for some of the parts I coat, so I dismantled it. I actually prefer the picklex "wipe-on" method anyway. It allows me to more closely examine the parts. I actually found a dangerous crack in a customers dirtbike frame while I was pickling it. I ended up finding a couple more and making an extra $100 on the job, because I made the repairs in shop.

[Banditperformance]

Is Picklex the same as Caswell's Pickle 4? I can't find Picklex anywhere in my town.

[skooterbum]

bandit
do a search on picklex and you will find the link to the guy that sells this stuff. i believe it is about 28 dollars a gal. if you cant find it let me know and i will find it for you.
ron

[Banditperformance]

Wow, I searched Picklex, been in contact with
Ranjit Sen
President
International Chemical Products, Inc.
Huntsville, AL., USA

He's telling me Picklex 20 min 5 Gallons for $544

"We can ship Picklex 20 in 5 gallons container by UPS ground (pre-treatment grade of Picklex is sold in 55 gallons drum only.

Price for 5 gallons = $544.00 + shipping"

Anyone in Canada getting Picklex

[bzer1]

Holy cow!!!!! the price has almost doubled since I bought it last. Wow I sure am glad I bought it when I did.

[Banditperformance]

He just emailed me back, saaid the Picklex 20 is 544 for 5 gallons, min, but the regular Picklex is 28 a gallon, but only shippable in 45 gallon drums Over $1K for the drum. I don't think I will be pre-treating my PC for a while. I have a bit of Caswells Zinc Ph. But don't have room for a dip tank, or heat for it. Can that just be sprayed on like Picklex? Wil it do any good, or not bother and just continue to media blast, degrease, pre-bake, shoot

[skooterbum]

dan from what i have learned on this forum we do not want to use the picklex 20 for powder coating. would have to read through the forum to find out why. i talked to the same guy as you, very hard for me to understand, but he did tell me that i could order the plain picklex by the gallon. i have to use up what i have first but was going to get a gal of it. maybe he has changed his policy. also i have found that we do not want to spray the picklex unless there is a rinse done after. otherwise you will be left with a thick film of the stuff that will do nothing but give you problems. it has been recommended to me to wipe the stuff on with lint free cloth. total control of how much is applied to part, no heavy film left on part.
ron

[boston_jake01]

I read this post and I know am a little confused (normal for me) Will I have to pretreat metal such as cast aluminum, aluminum, and steel, prior to powder coating or is this only if there is a problem?
I also saw the link for the primer banit recommended is this what would be needed?
sorry if I am asking a dump question
also does anyone know about pressure sand blasters, I am having a hard time figuring it out so that I can get a constant flow and pressure?
it is for harborfrieght.com I think this is the link http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34202
I'm not sure what the heck Im doing wrong, there are three valves and I don't know if they need to be all open or some closed or partially closed etc...
any help would be nice

[skooterbum]

Originally Posted by boston_jake01

I read this post and I know am a little confused (normal for me) Will I have to pretreat metal such as cast aluminum, aluminum, and steel, prior to powder coating or is this only if there is a problem?
I also saw the link for the primer banit recommended is this what would be needed?
sorry if I am asking a dump question
also does anyone know about pressure sand blasters, I am having a hard time figuring it out so that I can get a constant flow and pressure?
it is for harborfrieght.com I think this is the link http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34202
I'm not sure what the heck Im doing wrong, there are three valves and I don't know if they need to be all open or some closed or partially closed etc...
any help would be nice

hey boston, i am new at this as well but i will pass on what i have learned so far. the conversion coatings are the best way to go. they give a better surface for the powder to adhere to. quite a bit more work though. there are a lot of people here that do not use the conversion coatings, including myself. i will use them if the parts are going to be exposed to the weather. there are many conversion coatings that can be used. i recommend reading through the forum to see what is being used and the feedback that is being left for the product. one thing i will say is that if you do not have a rinse cycle after your conversion coating you will want to apply the conversion by wetting a lint free cloth with it and rubbing it on. spraying it on will leave you with a gooey mess. as far as the blasters i had a frustrating time with them as well. i finally spent $20.00 on a cheap siphon unit that consists of a spray gun and a hose that i put in the media and that works best for me. the pressure pots that i think you are talking about are not designed well at all. where the media comes out the bottom of the tank will plug up all the time unless you constantly shake the tank. defanatly a design flaw. i tried 4 different units before i had enough of them. the $20 unit is much more user friendly. hope this helps
ron
skid rowe custom powder coating
des moines iowa
515-371-6310

[Banditperformance]

So, will Caswells Zinc Phosphate work if just wiped on with a damp lint free rag? I can keep a bucket of Zinc solution warm and wipe it on, (with latex gloves on)my facilities will accomodate that. Will it help, or just a waste of time with the Zinc?