Zirconium pretreatment often gets labeled as difficult because it operates differently than the phosphate systems many plants have relied on for decades. The industry narrative suggests that the operating window

Low-VOC chemistry gets all the attention. But it’s rarely the factor that decides what a plant actually emits. In HVAC and automotive manufacturing, total VOC outcomes are shaped by something

Auxiliary condensers weren’t supposed to get this complicated (at least not in EV platforms). They used to sit in the background, playing a supporting role in a thermal system that mostly

In automotive heat-exchanger manufacturing, complexity often passes for progress. Small adjustments are made to stay aligned with new requirements and maintain control as standards evolve. Each fix works in the

Three words no one wants to hear: That’s not normal. It’s the start of every pretreatment troubleshooting headache. The rinse looks a little cloudy. The coating weight drifts. And suddenly,

Chemistry has a reputation for being slow to change. A small tweak on the line, and now everyone’s waiting for the lab to catch up. Weeks go by while testing

Brazed joint failures aren’t random. They almost always trace back to blocked clad flow or poor fit-up (small issues that quietly build into major weaknesses under pressure). The brazing process

Pretreatment is supposed to be simple. Set it up. Run the line. Parts come out ready to coat. That’s the promise, anyway. But the more complicated the chemistry, the more

The Quiet Difference Between Keeping Up and Falling Behind Everyone talks about performance. Corrosion resistance. Paint adhesion. OEM approvals. Nobody talks about the hours it takes to clean out a

Paint flux. Dip flux. Outsourced or In-House. Everyone’s got a favorite. Everyone’s got a reason. And hey, loyalty’s fine. But in automotive heat exchanger production—especially when you’re brazing aluminum coils

Unlock faster approvals and keep 2025 launch dates on track with a pretreatment chemistry your OEM already trusts. OEM expectations are shifting. Regional compliance rules are tightening. And phosphate chemistry

Top agricultural suppliers aren’t winning by adding complexity. They’re winning by eliminating it—intentionally. Quote delays. Internal pushback. Chemistry debates that go nowhere. Pretreatment complexity isn’t new, but if you’re quoting

The only thing consistent about iron phosphate (Fe Phos)? The sludge. The cleanouts. The look your operators give when they hear “we need to flush the tank.” It’s pitched as

Pretreatment can be a source of friction… or a fast track. When you’re quoting new business or preparing to support a new tractor model, combine platform, or sprayer assembly, three

Tariffs. Shipping delays. Regulatory hangups. Supply chain volatility isn’t new — but if you’re sourcing specialty chemical products it’s getting harder to ignore. And here’s the thing most people miss:

The pretreatment industry is changing. And fast. Agricultural equipment suppliers everywhere are feeling the pressure. Regulations are tightening, customers are demanding more, and the old ways of doing things just

It’s been a busy couple of weeks since FabTech and it was great to see many of you in Chicago this year! We rely on this event as a chance

We’re avid learners and teachers here at CPI, so we’ve been thinking for a long time about gaps in traditional pretreatment training.  On-the-job training, industry associations, corporate learning and even

Seeking a new pretreatment supplier? Jeff Blain of Circle-Prosco Inc. discusses considerations you should keep in mind when making this important decision. As Stephen Covey wrote, “Begin with the end

Pretreatment supplier explores industrial, agricultural markets for phosphate-free solution. When you have a process that works, there’s often an opportunity that it might prove beneficial to others as well. That

Douglas Parker is the owner and president of Circle-Prosco (Bloomington, Ind.), a family-owned pretreatment and coating operation celebrating its 50th year anniversary. Formed by Parker’s father-in-law, Conrad Kuzma, Circle-Prosco started

Darren Howard of Circle-Prosco discusses the ways zirconium pretreatments can provide a variety of benefits to your ecoat line. In today’s metal finishing environment, it can seem like there is

A study in the proper approach to convert a powder line from iron phosphate to fluorozirconic, or, TMC metal preparation. Click here to read more… Read more about our process

Give us your toughest chemistry problem. At CPI we have a history of looking for trouble. It’s why we’re the best kept secret of some of the biggest brands on

Gates Air wanted to simplify their process. Circle-Prosco delivered. “In the lab trials and evaluation process, it quickly became clear that Circle-Prosco chemistry was better than the rest. My production

We love a good problem. Our Solution Squad is ready to help you overcome any paintline challenge that you face. No sales. Just service. And you don’t have to be

Don’t let the name fool you. Titration is not as hard as it sounds. Rashid breaks down the process in this short video so you can get the readings you

Do you know this trick to telling if you have a clean part that’s ready to paint? Watch this video to see how it’s done and learn a few other