Electrocoating (e-coating) is an immersion-based finishing process where electrically charged paint particles are deposited onto metal parts through an electrical current. It’s often referred to as "organic plating" because it mimics how metal is electroplated, except the coating is paint, not metal.

Here’s how it works:

• The part is cleaned and pre-treated.
  
• It’s then immersed in a tank of waterborne paint particles.
  
• An electrical current is applied, attracting the paint to the surface of the metal.
  
• The coating builds up evenly until the desired film thickness is reached.
  
• The part is removed, rinsed, and cured in an oven.

Unlike powder coating or liquid paint spray, electrocoating ensures complete, even coverage, including inside recesses, nooks, corners, and cavities that are hard to reach with traditional spray techniques.

This encapsulation ability is one reason why the automotive industry has trusted e-coat since the 1980s, for everything from frames and brackets to underbody components. It’s one of the biggest reasons modern vehicles don’t rust like they used to.

Electrocoating is ideal when your application requires:

• Corrosion resistance
• Uniform film thickness
• High-volume part finishing
• Eco-friendly finishing process
• Coating complex shapes or recessed areas
• A durable primer for powder or liquid topcoats

At Giering Metal Finishing, our state-of-the-art cathodic epoxy e-coating system can process parts up to:

• 42 inches long
• 24 inches wide
• 18 inches deep

We serve a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, military, industrial OEMs, and more. Whether you need a few pieces or a few million, we’re equipped to deliver consistent results at scale.