Process selection
Stage chemistry and sequence defined by substrate, contamination and finish requirement.
Industrial Pretreatment & Washing Systems
Surface treatment lines and washing booths prepare parts for powder coating or wet painting. Cleaning, phosphating and rinsing stages are selected for the substrate and required finish.
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A controlled foundation for coating
Paint performance starts with surface preparation.
Residual oil, oxide, salts and process contamination can compromise adhesion before the coating reaches the oven. The pretreatment sequence must therefore be matched to the metal, contamination load, paint chemistry and corrosion target.
Atlas engineers and supplies batch or conveyorised systems for powder coating and liquid-paint lines, integrating spray stages, tank circulation, heating, filtration, chemical dosing and process controls.
A phosphating line is one possible pretreatment sequence, not a requirement for every coating. Washing lines, batch washing booths and conveyorized spray lines are configured around part geometry, process chemistry and production volume.
Line configuration
Batch booths, multi-stage spray tunnels or combined spray and immersion processes.
Process control
Temperature, concentration, pressure, dwell time, filtration and replenishment monitoring.
System configurations
From compact batch washing to continuous multi-stage lines.
01
Multi-Stage Spray Pretreatment Lines
Separate tunnel zones perform the required cleaning, conversion and rinsing stages while parts travel continuously or step-by-step on the conveyor.
- Dedicated tanks, pumps and spray circuits for each stage
- Zone separation designed to limit chemical carry-over
- Integrated heating, filtration, extraction and maintenance access
- Suitable for automatic powder and liquid-paint lines
02
Multi-Wash-in-One Booths
Several process liquids are applied sequentially inside one enclosed booth. The selected circuit returns each liquid to its own tank before the next stage begins.
- Compact solution for batch production and large components
- Programmable wash, drain and rinse sequences
- Multiple chemical tanks connected to one treatment chamber
- Reduced floor-space requirement compared with a long tunnel
03
Automatic Chemical Dosing Systems
Metering equipment replenishes process chemicals according to the selected control strategy and keeps the bath closer to its defined operating window.
- Metering pumps and chemical storage connections
- Conductivity, pH or process-specific measurement options
- Low-level alarms and PLC interlocks
- Dosing records and remote monitoring where required
Chemical process stages
The sequence is selected—not copied from a standard recipe.
Not every line needs every stage. Chemistry, bath count and rinsing quality are defined from the substrate and coating specification.
Alkaline Degreasing
Removes oils, grease and shop soils through a heated or ambient alkaline cleaning stage selected for the processed metal.
Acidic Degreasing
Combines cleaning with controlled oxide or scale removal where an acidic process is compatible with the substrate and finish requirement.
Neutral Degreasing
A milder cleaning option for suitable mixed-metal applications or processes where aggressive pH conditions are not preferred.
Phosphating
Creates a conversion layer that supports paint adhesion and corrosion resistance. The phosphate chemistry is chosen for the metal and performance target.
Rinsing
Removes residual chemistry between stages. Fresh-water, cascade and final demineralised-water rinses can be combined according to quality requirements.
Passivation
A final treatment or sealing stage used where required to improve surface stability before drying and coating.
Engineering inputs
What defines the final system?
- Parts and substrate
- Material, dimensions, weight, geometry, cavities and hanging orientation.
- Production data
- Hourly capacity, conveyor speed, dwell time, shift pattern and colour-change strategy.
- Quality target
- Coating type, adhesion requirement, corrosion class and applicable customer specification.
- Utilities and discharge
- Heat source, water quality, electrical capacity, ventilation and wastewater limits.
Frequently asked questions
Pretreatment system selection.
When is a multi-stage spray line appropriate?
It is typically selected for repeatable conveyorised production where separate cleaning, conversion and rinsing stages must operate continuously at a defined line speed.
What is a multi-wash-in-one booth?
It is a batch treatment chamber that applies several process liquids in sequence. Separate tanks and circuits allow cleaning, rinsing and conversion stages to be completed in one booth.
Which degreasing chemistry should be used?
The correct choice depends on the substrate, oils and contaminants, required conversion stage, paint system and wastewater constraints. Final chemistry is confirmed with the chemical supplier and process trials.
Related systems
Build the complete finishing process.
Related installation
3-in-1 Multi-Chemical Washing Booth
Explore the installed system, its configuration and project photographs.
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