How To Choose A Pretreatment
System For Powder Coating
Choosing a pretreatment system comes down to three decisions: batch or conveyor, phosphate or zirconium, and whether to discharge or recycle your wash water. CPR Systems offers single-step spray wand and stage washer systems with either chemistry and zero-discharge recycling.
Batch Or Conveyor
Spray wand systems for batch parts; single-step stage washers for conveyor lines.
Single Step
Clean And Coat
Efficient clean and coat operations hot water wash operation for quick wash to dry.
Zero Discharge
EPA Compliance
Over 80% reduction in water and chemical consumption. Nothing is sent to drain.
Paint Adhesion
Corrosion Resistance
Conversion coatings for increased paint adhesion. RO rinse and seal coat compatible.
What Are The Main Types Of Pretreatment Systems?
CPR System
Bondtite Washer
MDL-20 Filtration Platform
Batch Or Conveyor
Phosphate Or Zirconium
Discharge Or Recycle
Multi-stage spray washer (3 to 7 stages): separate clean, rinse, coat and seal tanks; large footprint; wash water usually discharged or treated.
Single-step stage washer (CPR): clean and coat in one stage; 60%+ smaller than a 5-stage; recycled, zero discharge.
Spray wand / batch (CPR): operator-held heated wand, pressure adjusted at the wand; fits a wash bay; recycled, zero discharge.
Dip / immersion tanks: parts lowered through tanks; footprint varies; tank dumps.
What Should You Ask Any Pretreatment Supplier?
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Can you run test panels on my parts?
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What happens to the wash water?
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How much floor space does it need?
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Which metals does the chemistry support?
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What are the ongoing chemistry and water costs?
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Who services it, and how fast?
Phosphate Or Zirconium Chemistry?
Iron phosphate is a proven choice for steel. Zirconium suits mixed steel and aluminum lines and removes phosphate from the waste stream. Drum pricing for the two is close, so the choice comes down to your metals and your process. See zirconium pretreatment and iron phosphate pretreatment.
Discharge Or Recycle Your Wash Water?
Multi-stage washers and dip tanks usually discharge, treat or dump their wash water. CPR single-step systems filter it to 20 microns and reuse it, so nothing goes to drain and water and chemistry use drop by more than 80%. See wash water recycling.
Comparing Suppliers?
Put CPR to the test with your own parts, free. Call 574-233-9111 or request a free panel test below.
Installation, Training, After Care
Our pretreatment packages include installation of equipment, training at your facility and after start-up remote support via our online maintenance tracking programs.
Choosing A Pretreatment System: FAQ
Single-step vs. multi-stage: which is better?
A single-step system cleans and coats in one stage, so it takes 60%+ less floor space than a 5-stage washer and recycles its wash water. Multi-stage washers use separate clean, rinse, coat and seal tanks. CPR builds both, so we can recommend what fits your parts and line.
Can I switch chemistries later?
Often, yes. CPR converts phosphate operations to zirconium. Different chemistries can call for different filtration components, so we review your setup and recommend what needs to change.
Is recycling worth it for a small shop?
Spray wand systems with recycling fit in a wash bay, cut water and chemistry use by more than 80%, and take less than 10 minutes of upkeep per shift. A quote sized to your parts shows the numbers for your shop.
