What are the minimum material thickness requirements for post-painting? Will there be any visible rack marks, such as those inherent to anodizing?
The standard minimum material thickness for custom painting is .040. After a part runs through the paint line, it is then run through an oven in order to cure and set the paint. If thinner material than .040 is used, it is very likely to twist, warp, or otherwise deform during the baking process. This sometimes occurs with .040 material as well. ASCO suggests using a minimum of .050 when painting pre-formed aluminum. For painting flat sheets, 5052 or 5005 alloy aluminum is recommended if material is to be fabricated after finishing. When specifying a custom paint, it is vital that a non-exposed surface is clearly identified. There must be some area on the part that can be placed on a wire rack or have holes placed in it to hang from the paint line. When painting pre-formed material, it will be racked on the non-exposed side. In some cases, holes must be drilled in the non-exposed area to allow for hanging. The customer must specify the locations that are acceptable for these marks. Sim
