As with other chemical treatments of metal surfaces, preparation and aftercare - in other words all the procedures applied during these processes - have to be precisely coordinated with the main process. For the purposes of this, the correct sizes of containers must be used which not only permit the technical application data of the preparation and after-treatment products to be complied with exactly, but also allow the intermediate rinsing procedures to be carried out efficiently. The number of procedures and the kind of products used depends on the particular tasks. In most cases however, the following processes are carried out:
1. Degreasing
Using hot degreasing agents or other degreasing mediums.
2. Cold rinsing
Immerse the parts in clean, clear water (flowing) to remove all residues from the preparation processes to avoid contamination of subsequent baths (operating life and effectiveness).
3. Activation
Rigid steel should be prepared in a special acidic medium or activating concentrate (INDUBRYN® AR 85). This is only necessary depending on the kind of metal or if the parts have rust, scales, roller coatings or other impurities not removed during the degreasing process which would make a good bronzing process more difficult.
4. Cold rinsing
Immerse the parts in clean, clear water (flowing) to remove the alkalis without leaving any residues in order to avoid contamination of subsequent baths (operating life and effectiveness).
Time: several minutes
5. Cold bronzing
Immerse in INDUBRYN® KB 10 at room temperature
Time: 2-30 minutes, the length of immersion depends on the condition of the material, pre-treatment and the bath solution.
6. Cold rinsing
Immerse in clean, clear (flowing) water so that the bronzing chemicals are removed without leaving any residues and so that the surface is neutralised.
Time: approx. 1 minute
7. Rust-proofing
Immerse in cold, water-deplacing oil (INDUBRYN® WV 12). When working with complicated shapes, you must ensure that all water is able to be drained, from hollows for example. The parts may have to be turned or swivelled in order to do this.
Time: from 5 minutes
You only have to increase the immersion time in order to strengthen the coating (decorative effect).
8. Drying
Drain off the corrosion prevention medium and leave to dry.
If a jet unit is available, all cold bronzing preparation steps may be omitted (items 1-4).