Steels continued paint finishes

Base units can be obtained in steel, wood, or plastic laminates. The steel in the steel units should be heavy gauge, e.g., 18 gauge, with a pretreatment to reduce the corrosive effects of chemicals. Painting all surfaces with a durable, baked on, chemically resistant paint finish will also help minimize chemical effects. In better units, this is an epoxy coating. Some individuals continue to prefer wooden laboratory furniture. Because of cost, solid wooden furniture is not an economic choice, but durable wooden (or plastic) veneer furniture is available which can meet most safety requirements. Although wood may be more absorbent to liquids than steel, it is less reactive and more resistant to a very wide range of... 

Nowadays, however, zinc-coated steel sheets, either continuously galvanised or electroplated, are often used as a basis material for overcoating with plastic materials or paints. The coatings are usually applied continuously and have a range of uses both externally and internally. Many surface finishes are obtainable, e.g. plain or embossed, and in an extensive range of colours, to suit almost any requirement . 

The modern motor car is made from steel, zinc or zinc alloy-coated steel and some plastic parts, all of which require painting. The main component is the body shell, made from the above metals, and this is coated in a continuous production process. A full finishing system with all four coatings is usually applied for maximum protection and a high quality appearance. 

This is steel or aluminium sheet made in a continuous ribbon and wound tightly onto a bobbin to form a coil of metal. On a coil finishing line, the coil can be fitted at one end, and wound up pretreated, primed and finished on both sides at the other end. Sheets of painted metal can be cut from the coil and formed for use as the exterior cladding for, for example, industrial buildings and caravans. 

---