RüKTECH utilizes a state of the art facility to apply our coatings. We have 2 stand alone blast cabinets, and a separate blast building. We have six ovens that are computer temperature controlled so we can run them at anytime helping to lower energy costs.

We can do the smallest of parts and the largest parts. Our 800 square foot oven can fit parts as large as a full size truck. We have two air controlled spray booths and a clean room. The facility is one of the only certified coaters for specialty coatings on rockets, and other aerospace specifications.

With over twenty years in coating experience you can rest assured that you are getting the best available quality.

We offer several types of coatings, our preferred vendor is NIC Industries, who manufacturers a large line of ceramic and powder coatings. While there are only a handful of companies who manufacture ceramic coatings we have found NIC Coatings to be the finest in ceramic coatings for the racing industry. They are committed to quality, performance, and protection of your parts.

The process of applying your coatings is a very difficult and demanding process. Many customers ask us what is involved in applying ceramic coatings and how their parts are processed. Outlined below is the basic process your parts go through.

Step 1 - We remove all coatings, oils, and contaminants from the substrate with either a de-greasing chemical and/or by heating substrate to temperatures high enough to remove coatings or contaminants. Our preferred method is to burn out the parts in the oven at a very high temperature for about an hour. If the part is chromed, plated, or ceramic coated we may have to do a chemical strip before burning out the part.

Step 2 - A lightly blasted profile (~40 psi) must be applied to
the substrate to remove any rust, scale, or other coatings. This is also required to ensure maximum adhesion. We use a dry grit material such as aluminum oxide or garnet equivalent to a 100 - 120 mesh size. We do not use glass beading because it is not aggressive enough to produce a sufficient blast profile. We have perfected a process that uses a blast that is not to strong that can blast through parts and leave tiny holes in the substrate but is aggressive enough to etch a profile for the coating to adhere to.

Step 3 - The parts are then hung on wires and racks making sure not to be touched by bare hand which contain oils and acids that can deter adhesion. Parts are then moved into the coating booth to be sprayed.

Step 4 - We blow off the substrate with a high-pressure air nozzle to remove any blasting dust left on the surface. We then use a HPLV gun to spray the liquid ceramic onto the part. Our booth is well ventilated and we have several mixing areas to insure our coatings are properly maintained for spraying. We spray a light coat of about 0.1 - 0.5 mil film thickness. In some cases multiple coats are applied to your part.

Step 5 Air Dry - Parts are then re-hung on the racks carefully avoiding any contact with them, and allowed to dry for about 1 hour. The parts are then visually inspected for runs, light areas, and coating failure. If it passes inspection parts are then allowed to cure for 24 hours before they are packaged.

Step 5 Oven Cure - For our oven cure coatings we generally apply two coats at a combined thickness of 2 mils. After spraying parts are inspected for coating failure and any touch ups are performed. We air-dry for 20 minutes, and then place in an oven at 175°F for 20 minutes to allow excess solvents from the coating to out-gas. We them ramp the oven up to 500°F (minimum) to 700°F. After desired temperature is reached we cure parts for 60 minutes.

Step 6 - Polishing ceramic coated products in polished aluminum. After the cure cycle is complete, we lightly buff the parts with super fine steel wool (0000 or 4/0) or scotch brite pads then polish them in a vibratory polisher for 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the shine desired. For additional shine we may due some hand and or machine polishing in areas that are not reached in the vibratory.