MEK swipe test

This test insure that your product has been cured for the proper amount of time.  MEK (Methyl Ethyl Keton) that if not cured properly can easily wipe the finish off.  This is done on a test panel as so no damage is done to your finished product.  If MEK is used on your product it will damage the gloss level regardless of if it was cured properly or not.  That is the reason we use test panels.  MEK swipe test is issued a simple pass/fail grade.  This is the "weather proofing" making it our roof.

Color, gloss, and texture visual test

Color and gloss visual test is done to insure that the part has all the visual characteristics that the suppliers control panels have.  This is done by holding the suppliers control panel up to your finished product(no damage will be done).  We make sure that the color, gloss, and texture (smooth, wrinkle, textured) is as it was intended to be.  This is done visually and is given a simple pass/fail.  This is the "outside apperance" making it the windows, doors, siding, and deck of our house.

Mil Check

Mil (milage) is basically the amount of powder applied to a substrate. 1 mil = 1/1000 of an inch making 1/4" 250 mil.  Our average mil thickness on a substrate is between 1.5 and 2.5 mil.  This is check by using a specialized tool that tells us the mil thickness known as a mil gage.  Different powders require diffrent mils.  For instance a standard RAL powder requires no less than 1.5 mil and no more than 2.5 mil.  Some textured powder can safely be applied at 2.5 to 3.5 mil.  Dont let this fool you, just because the powder you choose only uses 1.5 mil doesnt mean it is any less durable than one that requires 3.0 mil.  Actually if you were to apply a powder requiring 1.5 mil at 3.0 mil it will actually become subject to cracking, chipping, and many other problems if you were to do so.  The powder manufacturer specifically informs IPC what mil a certain powder can be applied.  It is not uncommon for the edges to exceed the required mil thickness.  This is normal and is taken into account when powder coating your parts.  This is our "framework" without a sturdy heavy frame our house would not take abuse.

Right angle scratch test

Right angle scratch is a test to insure proper adhesion.  A special tool is used to make five to six deep gouges into the test panel twice at right angles forming sixteen small squares(fig 1).  Tape is then applied and let sit for 60 seconds then removed with one quick pull.  None of the squares or any part of them should be removed.  Adhesion is rated from 1-5, 5 being best, and a pass/fail.  We are not satisfied with any result less than 5.  Finally this is our "foundation" if our foundation cannot endure pressure and stress than our house would crumble.

Figure 1

Now that our house has a sturdy foundation, heavy framework, a beautiful outside appearance, and a weather tight roof we can rest assured that it will stand in all its beauty for years to come.