Engineering the Proper Cleaning Process for Your New Paint or Powder Coat System

When you invest in a new paint or powder coat system, the cleaning stage becomes one of the most important parts of the process. A great coating line can only perform as well as the surface prep in front of it. If the cleaning process isn’t engineered correctly, issues like poor adhesion, inconsistent coverage, and rework will show up alongside parts that simply don’t pass inspection.

At Americo Chemical Products, we help facilities design cleaning processes that support long-term quality and lower operating costs.

Why the Cleaning Stage Matters So Much

Cleaning is the foundation of the entire finishing system. Every decision you make in this step affects coating performance, curing behaviour, durability, and warranty outcomes.

A proper cleaning process helps ensure:

• Consistent part cleanliness across shifts and production volumes
• Reliable adhesion for both paint and powder
• Reduced defects, rejects, and rework
• Longer bath life and fewer process disruptions
• Lower chemical and energy usage over time

But cleaning can get complicated. Every facility has unique production demands, part designs, and contamination sources. A one-size-fits-all cleaning process almost never works.

Different metals—whether steel, aluminum, galvanized, or mixed assemblies—require specific approaches to avoid staining, flash rust, or adhesion failures. The soils coming into the system vary just as much. Oils, drawing compounds, weld residues, grinding dust, and everyday handling contamination all behave differently, and no single cleaner performs equally well against every type.

Part size and geometry add another layer of complexity, as deep cavities, weld seams, threaded features, and heavy or irregular fabrications change how chemistry, heat, and spray coverage reach the surface. This is why engineering the cleaning stage up front is one of the smartest moves you can make.

How Americo Helps You Engineer the Right Cleaning Process

At Americo, we don’t expect customers to figure out cleaning system design on their own. We work directly with your team to engineer a cleaning stage that fits your parts, soils, equipment, and production goals.

Here’s how we support the process:

• On-site evaluation of your parts and soils, so we understand exactly what your system needs before anything is installed
• Custom chemistry recommendations that fit your equipment, soil load, metal types, and temperature requirements
• Process design support to ensure temperatures, concentrations, dwell times, and rinsing stages are set up for consistent performance
• Startup assistance to help dial in the chemistry and get your new line running smoothly from the first day
• Operator training so your team understands how the process works and how to keep it consistent across every shift
• Ongoing monitoring and adjustments to maintain stability as production demands, soils, or part types change