Automotive components need finishes that withstand moisture, road salt, chemicals, abrasion, temperature changes, and regular use while meeting appearance and performance requirements.
Rhinehart Finishing provides automotive parts coating services for OEMs, manufacturers, product designers, and component suppliers. Our capabilities include powder coating, liquid spray painting, mechanical cleaning, zinc phosphate pretreatment, masking, and quality testing. Each project is developed around the component, substrate, specifications, and end-use requirements.
Automotive Coating Methods and Capabilities
Different automotive components require different approaches to surface preparation and finishing. Rhinehart combines multiple processes within one operation to help manufacturers maintain quality and consistency.
Part geometry, substrate, environmental exposure, appearance, and customer specifications all help determine the appropriate process.
Powder Coating for Automotive Parts
Powder coating uses electrostatically applied dry powder that is cured to form a hard, durable finish. This process is well suited to many automotive metal components requiring resistance to corrosion, abrasion, chipping, chemicals, and everyday wear.
Rhinehart offers epoxy, polyester, and hybrid powder formulations. Applications can include suitable chassis and suspension components, brackets, mounts, structural parts, and other fabricated metal components.
Liquid Spray Painting for Automotive Components
Liquid spray painting provides flexibility for automotive components with specific finish, color, geometry, or performance requirements. Rhinehart operates environmentally controlled liquid spray booths to support consistent application across a range of components.
Color matching, primers, masking, and other finishing requirements can be incorporated based on customer specifications. Liquid automotive parts coating can be used for fabricated components, assemblies, panels, trim, and specialty parts.
Automotive Surface Preparation and Zinc Phosphate Pretreatment
Even a high-performance coating can fail prematurely when the underlying surface is not properly prepared. Rust, oil, old coatings, and other contaminants can interfere with adhesion.
Rhinehart provides mechanical cleaning and zinc phosphate pretreatment to establish a suitable foundation for coating. Zinc phosphate can improve paint adhesion while providing additional corrosion resistance for metal substrates. Rhinehart’s zinc phosphate pretreatment process is certified to TT-C-490 Type I for applicable projects.
Custom Masking and Detail Finishing
Automotive components often include threads, mating surfaces, contact points, holes, or other areas that cannot be coated. Custom masking protects these designated areas during application.
Rhinehart can develop masking around component geometry and customer specifications. Additional capabilities include stamping, stenciling, silk screening, and character fill or highlighting when required.
Automotive Parts and Components We Coat
Automotive parts coating can be used across a wide range of vehicle systems, with the appropriate process depending on material, component design, operating conditions, and finish requirements.
Common applications can include:
- Frames and structural components
- Chassis and suspension components
- Brackets, mounts, and fasteners
- Engine-related components where appropriate
- Underbody components
- Interior and exterior components
- Trim and decorative parts
- Custom-fabricated and aftermarket components
Parts exposed to moisture, road debris, salt, and abrasion may require greater protection, while visible components may place additional emphasis on color and appearance.
Custom Automotive Coating Solutions
An effective automotive parts coating service accounts for substrate, part size, geometry, environmental exposure, and performance requirements.
Rhinehart works from customer drawings and specifications to determine appropriate cleaning, pretreatment, masking, and coating processes. Corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical exposure, appearance, production quantities, and repeat orders can all be incorporated into the finishing program.
Automotive Coatings for OEM and Production Requirements
OEMs and component manufacturers need durable, repeatable finishes from one production run to the next. Rhinehart supports recurring automotive parts coating requirements with controlled processes designed around customer specifications.
Coating type, surface preparation, masking, appearance, inspection, and other requirements can be established for repeat production. Depending on project requirements, in-house quality testing can include salt spray corrosion, scratch, impact, and other inspection procedures. Non-destructive testing capabilities are also available when applicable.
For automotive components used in defense applications, Rhinehart maintains TACOM certifications and qualifications for military coatings, including CARC and applicable MIL specifications.
Why Choose Rhinehart Finishing for Automotive Parts Coating?
Rhinehart Finishing combines industrial coating expertise, production capacity, and quality control to support demanding manufacturing programs. Our 100,000-square-foot production facility accommodates batch and conveyorized coating processes for different component and production requirements.
Manufacturers also benefit from:
- ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management
- Powder coating and liquid spray painting capabilities
- Mechanical cleaning and zinc phosphate pretreatment
- Custom masking and detail finishing
- In-house quality testing and inspection
- TACOM certifications and military coating qualifications
- Integrated fabrication-to-finishing capabilities through Rhinehart Development
Request an Automotive Parts Coating Quote
The right coating process depends on the component, substrate, operating environment, specifications, and required performance. Rhinehart works with OEMs, manufacturers, component suppliers, and product designers to develop automotive parts coating services around these requirements.
Contact Rhinehart Finishing to discuss your drawings, specifications, quantities, and coating needs, or request a quote for your next automotive finishing project.
Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Coating Services
What automotive parts can be powder coated?
Many metal automotive components can be powder coated, including suitable brackets, mounts, chassis and suspension components, structural parts, and fabricated components. Material, size, geometry, and performance requirements determine whether powder coating is appropriate.
What coating is best for automotive components?
The best coating depends on the substrate, environment, appearance requirements, and expected exposure to corrosion, abrasion, chemicals, and other conditions.
Why is surface preparation important for automotive coatings?
Surface preparation removes contaminants that can interfere with adhesion. Mechanical cleaning and pretreatment can also improve corrosion resistance and long-term coating performance.
Can Rhinehart support recurring automotive production runs?
Yes. Rhinehart can establish repeatable finishing processes around customer drawings, specifications, masking requirements, inspection criteria, and production needs.
Can Rhinehart meet military coating specifications?
Rhinehart maintains TACOM certifications and military coating qualifications, including CARC capabilities, for applicable automotive and defense components.
How does Rhinehart test automotive coating quality?
Depending on project requirements, Rhinehart can perform in-house testing and inspection, including salt spray corrosion, scratch, and impact testing.