All steel and aluminium coil that is used by Stalco Continuous Gutters in the production of roll formed gutters and downpipes is painted by Hunter Douglas Limited using their HD Color-Cote® process.
With paintlines around the world, the Hunter Douglas Group is one of the world’s most experienced exponents of pre-painting metal. Since its commencement in 1946, the Hunter Douglas Group has made significant contributions to the development of continuous coating. In doing so, it created the exclusive HD Color-Cote® process that is internationally recognised as one of the most durable paint finishes available. Hunter Douglas Limited has been pre-painting aluminium and steel in Australia for more than 40 years. Today at its Rydalmere plant, in Sydney’s west, Hunter Douglas Limited operates one of the most technologically and environmentally advanced paint lines in the world. The HD Color-Cote® process is unparalleled in its ability to produce a smooth, even finish. The uniformity of the surface coating and richness of colour considerably enhance the appearance of the finished goods. HD Color-Cote® consists of top coats over corrosion resistant primers. The result is one of the finest and most durable modern coatings available. Outstanding corrosion resistance, combined with excellent colour and gloss retention, result in a product which has a life expectancy expressed in decades.
Prior to coating, metals are prepared by chemically cleaning and the application of a conversion coating system. After leaving the conversion coating bath the strip is rinsed free of excess chemicals and dried ready to receive a coat of primer. All primer and finish coating is applied to metal in its coil form by roller on a continuous coating line prior to fabrication of the metal. Prepared metal receives a prime coat which is cured by convection oven baking prior to application of the finished coat. The top coat is then applied to a dry film thickness of 20 microns and oven baked. Finished surfaces are commercially smooth, free of deep flow lines and other surface defects.
All paint batches are tested, then quality control checks carried out during the paint process and after the finished sheet has been recoiled. This ensures every coil of metal which leaves the Hunter Douglas factory complies with specifications laid down for the paint system used. On-line inspections are continuously carried out covering raw coil, pretreatment baths, paint viscosity, oven temperatures and peak metal temperatures. Tests to ensure correct paint film hardness, adhesion, colour uniformity, flexibility, thickness, gloss and solvent resistance are also undertaken. In addition, random samples undergo accelerated testing which includes weatherometer, salt spray, humidity and natural weathering.
Hunter Douglas Limited has been assessed and registered by Quality Assurance Services Pty Ltd as having the capability to control the quality of goods or services under a quality system complying with the requirements of ISO 9002: 1994 “Quality Systems – Model for Quality Assurance in Production, Installation and Servicing”.
