Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • MATERIALS
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • RESOURCES
  • EVENTS
  • DIRECTORIES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • CONTACT
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Latest News
  • Market Trends & Reports
  • Price Alerts
  • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
  • Weekly Featured Article
  • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
  • Product News
  • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
  • Additives
  • Resins/Polymers
  • Pigments
  • Equipment
  • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • Adhesives
  • Architectural Coatings
  • FINISHING
  • Industrial Coatings
  • Nanotechnology
  • Powder Coatings
  • Solventborne
  • Special Purpose Coatings
  • Sustainability
  • UV Coatings
  • Waterborne
  • FINISHING
  • Finishing News
  • Finishing Technologies
  • Finishing Equipment
  • Finishing Today
  • RESOURCES
  • Columns
  • Blogs
  • Coatings Supplier Handbook
  • Podcasts and Videos
  • PCI Store
  • Classifieds
  • eBooks
  • Sponsor Insights
  • White Papers
  • COATLE Word Game
  • Columns
  • Ask Joe Powder
  • Did you know?
  • Distribution Dive
  • Focus on Canada
  • Formulating With Mike
  • Innovation Insights
  • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
  • Powder Coating Perspectives
  • Target the Market
  • TiO2 Insider
  • Blogs
  • Editor's Viewpoint
  • Industry Insights
  • Podcasts and Videos
  • COAT-IT! Podcast
  • Videos/PCI TV
  • EVENTS
  • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
  • Paint and Coatings Academy
  • Webinars
  • Calendar of Events
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
  • Buyer's Guide
  • Equipment Directory
  • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
  • Current Issue
  • eMagazine Archive
  • China Issue Archive
  • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to eMagazine
  • Subscribe to eNewsletters
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
      • Finishing Today
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Ask Joe Powder
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Focus on Canada
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • Target the Market
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • SIGN UP!
FT Archives

COIL COATING CORNER: Get Your Metal Together

By Jim Dockey
June 1, 2008
It’s a common fallacy that you can’t join prepainted metal. The truth is that many manufacturers in a variety of industries join prepainted metal every day with great success.

It’s a common fallacy that you can’t join prepainted metal. The truth is that many manufacturers in a variety of industries join prepainted metal every day with great success. You can use adhesives, fasteners, welding applications and assembly techniques to join prepainted metal and retain a beautiful surface.

A Primer on Primer - When Welding Is the Only Answer

Manufacturers might not realize that weldable primers are available as part of the coil coating process. These primers can be welded without sacrificing product quality and provide a precleaned and treated alternative for post-painting operations that reduces inventory and cleaning costs.

Requirements for weldable primers vary depending on the welding process used, but for most processes, the main requirements are that the primer must conduct electricity and “burn back” evenly next to the weld area, and that it must not smoke excessively during welding, combust or produce harmful fumes. Your coil coater can provide advice on priming methods and product selection.

Key advantages of using weldable primers include:
  • Better adherence
  • Better corrosion resistance
  • Better cosmetics: eliminate runs, bare spots, bubbles and dirt spots
  • Consistent film thickness
  • Lower paint usage and costs
  • A faster process with no need for painting
  • Reduced cleanup and environmental costs
  • Decreased energy consumption
  • Decreased labor
  • No need for stamping oil (the coating acts as a lubricant)
  • Reduced safety hazards
  • The ability to specify chrome free primers and pretreatments


A Sticky Solution

Adhesive joints offer benefits such as smooth surfaces, clean contours and uniform stress distribution. Adhesives also can seal joints from a variety of elements. Prepainted metals can be bonded with the same adhesives used for uncoated metals, and joining prepainted metals with adhesives does not alter the properties of the metal or its coating. The finished product retains a stunning exterior appearance. Your coil coater and adhesive supplier can help specify an adhesive-compatible paint and help select the best adhesive for almost any application, including epoxies, urethanes, cyanocrilates, acrylics, anaerobics, hot melts and silicones.

Joining with adhesives provides creative solutions to some old manufacturing problems related to combining various joint types. Adhesives work well with stiffener joints, joggle joints, simple lap joints, double-butt and double-scarf joints, and even sheet metal corner joints (when used with simple supplementary attachments).

Going Nuts

Mechanical assembly with fasteners also works well with prepainted metals. Nuts, bolts and screws are cost-effective fasteners that offer design flexibility and allow for parts to be disassembled. Rivets are another choice that produce liquid-tight seals, are easily automated, and offer excellent shear and tensile strength.

A third and exciting option for mechanical assembly is the AKH FAS-NER system. A simple punch and die operation, the FAS-NER system automatically feeds, punches, inserts and locks self-piercing FAS-NERs to produce a solid joint in one high-cycle operation. The FAS-NER is directly inserted into prepainted metal without the need for pre-punched holes. This feature saves time and labor costs associated with tooling maintenance.

Sans Fasteners

There are also proven, highly repeatable methods requiring only conventional tooling to join prepaint mechanically without fasteners. Lock-and-seam, pierce-and-tab or stake, and clinching assembly methods can be employed with success. Lock-and-seam works well when disassembly is required and it keeps joint buildup to a minimum. Pierce-and-tab or stake is another conventional and low-cost solution that works well with prepaint. Clinching provides a neat, clean appearance, and it’s ideal for applications that require vibration resistance.

Lasers

For joint applications like butt welding that require fine or nearly invisible seams, lasers might be the answer. Joining prepaint with the precision of a laser creates little or no distortion to the coating at the point of contact and results in the least amount of discoloration and damage to the coating.

Before designing your next product, take a look at the possibilities offered by joining coated metal. Prepainted metal can be easily joined, helps streamline the manufacturing process, saves money and hassles in the plant, and provides a stellar finished product that is rust resistant with a tougher, more beautiful finish.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Jim Dockey is the director of sales and marketing for CENTRIA, a coil coater located Moon Township, PA. He is also vice president of the National Coil Coating Association. He can be reached at 412.299.8122 or jdockey@centria.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • pci1022-Kinaltek-Lead-1170.jpg

    A Novel Pigment Production Technology

    Following an extensive R&D program that demonstrated...
    Paint and Coating Pigments
    By: Jawad Haidar and Nitin Soni
  • pci global top 10

    2025 Global Top 10: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    The following is PCI’s annual ranking of the top 10...
    Global Top 10 and PCI 25
    By: Courtney Bassett
  • 2025 pci 25

    2025 PCI 25: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    PCI's annual ranking of the top 25 North American paint...
    Paint and Coating Market Reports
    By: Courtney Bassett
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

The Coatings Minute: Your Guide to the 2025 Coatings Supplier Handbook

The Coatings Minute: Your Guide to the 2025 Coatings Supplier Handbook

CTT Registration Now Open

CTT Registration Now Open

The Coatings Minute: Your Inside Look at PCInnovations

The Coatings Minute: Your Inside Look at PCInnovations

The Coatings Minute: Print Returns with PCI’s New Showcase Issue

The Coatings Minute: Print Returns with PCI’s New Showcase Issue

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the PCI audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of PCI or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Modern arapartment complex painted in bright colors.
    Sponsored byEPS - Engineered Polymer Solutions

    Architectural Polymers Leading the Way in Coatings Innovation

  • paint sprayer in a workshop
    Sponsored byallnex

    Enabling Performance and Compliance: allnex Introduces a New Line of VOC Exempt Solvent-Borne Resins

Popular Stories

No. 3 AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel’s $1.4B Divestment Signals Strategy Shift

PCI voices from the top

eBook | PCI Voices from the Top

Mergers and Acquisitions

RPM Expands Portfolio With Strategic Acquisition



PCI Buyers Guide

Submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to suppliers of your choice with details on what you need with a click of a button

Start your RFP

Browse our Buyers Guide for manufacturers and distributors of all types of coatings products and much more!

Find Suppliers

Events

September 3, 2025

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit

The Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Summit is an annual conference for both liquid and powder coatings formulators and manufacturers to discuss innovations in coatings technology. This event combines high-quality technical presentations, a resource-rich exhibit hall, and dedicated networking opportunities to connect scientific minds, foster innovation, and cultivate game-changing new ideas!

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Longest-running laboratory experiment

What is the longest-running laboratory experiment?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

CTT Summit Short Courses (Live 9/3/25)

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit is expanding its offerings with four short courses. These short courses will offer an extensive day of interactive learning.

See More Products
pci voices from the top ebook

PCI CASE EBOOK

Related Articles

  • COIL COATING CORNER: In the Business of Making Your Business Easier

    See More
  • COIL COATING CORNER: Meeting the Needs of Today's Markets

    See More
  • Bottom-Line Benefits of Using Prepainted, Coil Coated Metal

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • coatings.jpg

    Advanced Coating Materials

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Schlenk Metallic Pigments

    SCHLENK supplies state-of-the-art metallic pigments, including solvent and waterborne aluminum and gold bronze pigments for all coatings and paint applications. In addition, we supply unique special effects like our Zenexo® ultra-thin colored aluminums that offer unmatched durable gold and orange effects. Our very broad Decomet® vacuum metallized pigment line allows formulators to achieve very smooth metal and chrome like effects. SCHLENK products are available globally.
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
      • Finishing Today
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Ask Joe Powder
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Focus on Canada
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • Target the Market
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • SIGN UP!