Process
Our Proven Coating Process
Every step is engineered for performance, consistency, and confidence
When your parts need to perform in demanding environments, uncertainty in the coating process isn’t an option. Advanced Coating Technology provides a proven, disciplined approach that removes guesswork and delivers consistent, high-quality results. With decades of experience and carefully controlled steps (i.e., pretreatment and masking, curing, inspection, and logistics), we guide your components through a process designed to protect, perform, and meet exact specifications, every time.
1. Pretreatment & Cleaning
Proper pretreatment is critical to coating performance and longevity. Advanced Coating Technology uses proven, controlled methods to clean, prepare, and protect parts prior to coating, ensuring optimal adhesion and consistent results.
Cleaning & Pretreatment Systems
We offer hot alkaline cleaning as well as multi-stage cleaning and pretreatment systems, including:
- 5-stage RoHS-compliant iron phosphate pretreatment
- Part size capacity up to 36” x 66” x 14’
- Processes designed to effectively remove oils, soils, and contaminants prior to coating
Blasting & Surface Preparation
When additional surface profiling is required, we provide a range of blasting options to meet specification and performance needs:
- Grit, shot, and bead blasting using aluminum oxide, steel, glass, as well as specialty media such as walnut shells and plastic
- Tumble blasting for efficient bulk processing of smaller parts
- Largest in-house pressure blast cabinet: 6’ x 6’ x 6’
- Outsourced blasting for larger parts through qualified partners
- Ability to measure and maintain specified or optimal surface profiles
Masking Capabilities
After proper cleaning and pretreatment, we apply masking to protect critical surfaces, threads, or tolerances:
- Standard and complex masking solutions
- Precise placement to ensure coatings are applied only where required
- Supports both functional and cosmetic requirements
Rack & Fixture Preparation
Well-designed racks and fixtures play a critical role in coating quality and efficiency:
- Fixtures are purchased or custom-built based on part complexity
- Designed to promote uniform coverage, proper grounding, and repeatable results
- Integrated early in the pretreatment and coating workflow
Powder Coating
Durable, consistent, and efficient powder coating for production runs of all sizes. Electrostatic and fluidized bed systems allow us to coat a wide range of components with precision.
Liquid Paint
Professional wet paint finishing, including conductive coatings, EMI/RFI shielding, and ceramic-metal systems for specialized performance needs.
3. Oven Drying & Curing
We operate multiple curing ovens, both electric and gas-fired, designed to dry and fully cure coated parts efficiently and consistently.
All ovens are routinely verified for temperature accuracy and uniformity, with operating capabilities up to 650°F. Two ovens are equipped with PLC controls to ensure precise management and repeatability of specific cure cycles.
We can monitor and record cure temperature and dwell time, providing objective documentation to verify process compliance when required.
Oven Specifications
All ovens were custom-built to our specifications to support coating performance and production efficiency. With chamber sizes ranging from 48″ x 48″ x 72″ to 3′ x 5′ x 150′, we are equipped to properly cure both small components and large-scale parts.
4. Quality Control & Inspection
Our focus is on in-process quality control—from the moment your parts arrive at our dock through final shipment. We continuously monitor our processes and can work within your guidelines to identify, segregate, and properly manage nonconforming parts.
Our current Quality System meets MIL-I-45208 requirements. We maintain calibrated inspection equipment to verify coating thickness, gloss, adhesion, surface roughness, proper cure, oven accuracy, and the condition of cleaning and pretreatment chemistry. Learn more about MIL-SPEC.
For specialized testing beyond our in-house capabilities, we partner with accredited laboratories, including salt spray testing in accordance with ASTM B117.
We can follow your established quality specifications and inspection plans or collaborate with you to develop a program that ensures coated parts consistently meet or exceed expectations.
Quality at ACT also includes thorough documentation, accurate labeling, protective packaging for coated or delicate surfaces, and shipping via your specified carrier. We additionally support drop-ship programs, barcode requirements, and EDI integration to ensure seamless fulfillment.
5. Supply Chain Integration
We serve as either a Tier I or Tier II supplier, depending on what best supports your system and operational requirements. Our team integrates with your EDI platform to plan, schedule, manage materials, and coordinate shipment of finished goods efficiently and accurately.
Additional services include barcode tracking, cycle counting, and specialized packaging to meet your specific logistics and inventory needs.
Why Choose ACT?
50+ Years Experience
Decades of proven coating expertise ensure your parts are processed correctly the first time.
Attention to Detail
From pretreatment to packaging, every step is monitored to protect quality and consistency.
Exceptional Performance
Our controlled systems and validated methods deliver durable, specification-driven results.
Industry-Leading Solutions
We combine advanced technology, compliance knowledge, and process control to meet the most demanding requirements.
