Welding & Fabrication
From tractor brush guards to camera mounts our steel fabrication shop can build it. Our 2D and 3D CAD design system can help you define and visualize solutions to your problems. We specialize in one-off and limited run production. Our designers are experienced with the integration of hydraulics, electric motors, and microcontroller based motion control.
Welding Table
Our welding table is the heart of our fabrication shop. Using our in-house designed and built adjustable table, all projects are jig welded. This insures consistency in our production runs and also maintains the specific dimensions for our one-off projects.
Paint Preparation
A good coat of paint begins with the proper preparation of the base metal. Our process begins with the removal of all welding slag and splatter using both a metal flap disc and then a knotted wire cup. All sharp edges are eased by this process and the razor sharp burrs sometimes left by cutting and drilling are removed. Most surface rust is knocked loose during this operation.
Once the metal has been mechanically cleaned, a solution of Tri-Sodium Phosphate is applied by high pressure spray. The TSP is a very effective cleaning agent that removes all traces of cutting oil, grease, welding residue and other surface contaminants. Stubborn spots are scrubbed by hand to insure a clean surface. A high pressure rinse removes all traces of the TSP solution, and leaves the metal prepared for the next step.
After cleaning with TSP and rinsing, a solution of Phosphoric acid is used to prepare and etch the metal surface. This etching process gives the surface more " tooth" for the primer coat to adhere to. The Phosphoric acid reacts with rust (iron oxide) and converts it to the inert iron phosphate. This iron phosphate actually assists in paint adhesion. As seen in the photo above, the metal is extremely clean at this point in the process
Painting Process
The above preparation is followed up with a coat of primer applied via airless spray as soon as the final clean water rinse has dried. Airless spray has been chosen as it provides a thick build up and with pressures up to 3500 psi, it penetrates cracks and crevices very well. The airless spray allows for large surfaces to be covered very quickly.
After the primer has dried, a least one coat of colored paint - or topcoat - is applied. For projects subjected to harsh conditions, additional topcoats will be applied. Again, the airless spray painting process allows for a very complete coverage as compared to other painting methods - such as air assisted spray or High Volume, Low Pressure (HVLP) processes. Even very viscous paints can be sprayed unthinned, and overspray is minimal.