The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
  

  -----

Is drying aluminum after Alodine 5200 necessary if parts will be e-coated?

Is a drying time necessary after applying Alodine 5200 if parts will be e-coated before parts can dry? There is one rinse at the end of the Alodine line, and another rinse prior to e-coat. Both rinses are well maintained RO water. Racks will be moved with forklift from one line to the other. 15-30 will elapse between rinses. Any input would be appreciated.

Adam Adkisson
e-coater - McAllen, Texas
2007

My nickel says yes! One of the mil spec's called for something like a 24 hr wait period for the gel (Alodine) to partially dehydrate. We found that we could speed this up by putting the racked parts in bright sunlight for about 3 hours (non mil spec parts with an impatient customer).

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007