Why Pre-Treatment Is Critical for Long-Lasting Coatings
At Giering Metal Finishing, we’ve spent over 70 years perfecting the coating process. And while the finish may be what you see first, the real work starts long before the powder or paint ever touches the part.
George Giering, President and CEO, explains why pre-treatment is one of the most critical—yet often underestimated—steps in achieving a long-lasting, high-performance finish.
It All Starts with the Surface
A common misconception in metal finishing is that coating alone provides protection. The truth? If the surface isn’t properly prepared, even the best coatings will fail prematurely.
“Anybody can just degrease or blast,” George says, “but we take it to the next level to make sure the metal is truly conditioned to take on the coating.”
Our pre-treatment process is designed to ensure the coating bonds properly to the substrate, creating a finish that performs reliably over time, in all kinds of condition
Why does pre-treatment matter so much? One word: adhesion.

Without proper preparation, contaminants like machining oils, mold releases, or drawing fluids can remain on the surface—even when they’re not visible. Coating over these contaminants means the finish may not stick properly, leading to:
- Premature peeling or flaking
- Rust or corrosion underneath the coating
- Failure in salt spray or humidity tests
- Costly rework or warranty issues
“It can make the difference in salt spray performance from 100 hours to 1,000 hours,” George notes. That’s a tenfold improvement—just by cleaning and prepping the surface correctly.
The Impact of Pre-Treatment on Performance
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Common Surface Contaminants We Target
Every industry and material type presents its own set of contamination challenges. At Giering, we tailor our cleaning and pre-treatment approach based on the part’s history and end-use.
Here are a few common surface contaminants we remove:

- Machining oils and coolants
- Mold releases from die casting
- Drawing compounds in extrusion processes
- Waxes, grease, and dirt from handling or packaging
How Giering Metal Finishing Approaches Pre-Treatment
Our team uses a combination of methods—including chemical cleaning, rinsing, conversion coatings, and surface conditioning—to ensure every part is ready for its final finish. This is especially critical for industries with high performance standards, such as:
- Automotive
- Medical devices
- Defense and aerospace
- Electrical and energy components
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every material and every application is evaluated to determine the best surface preparation method to ensure adhesion, corrosion resistance, and finish quality.
Don’t Skip the Most Important Step
A quality finish starts with a clean, properly prepared surface. At Giering Metal Finishing, we understand that the unseen steps are often the most important ones. Our attention to pre-treatment is just one way we ensure your coating looks better, performs longer, and protects your product from the elements and the clock.
Need Expert Pre-Treatment for Your Coated Parts?
Whether you're looking for powder coating, liquid paint, or e-coating, our expert team will make sure your parts are prepped the right way—every time.
