Abstract: A method for priming an object with through electrodeposition. The object is initially immersed into a first tank having a first primer bath and a first primer layer is electrodeposited onto the object. The object is removed from the first primer bath and cured to a first predetermined level. The object is then immersed into a second tank having a second primer bath and a second primer layer is electrodeposited onto the object. The object is removed from the second primer bath and cured to a second predetermined level. The primer baths are preferably formulated differently so as to achieve a multi-layer prime coat having several characteristics which would not otherwise be possible if the primer layer was created in one electrodeposition step.

Abstract: A vertical dip pretreatment and electro-deposition system has a plurality of dip stations and a plurality of spray stations. The process limited dip stations, such as the degrease dip station, the phosphate dip station and the electro-coat dip station, have expandable dip tanks which can have a bulkheads that divide the tanks into two sections providing the tanks with two compartments, or have removable end walls that can be removed and replaced with a tank section. If the bulkhead divided tanks are used, during the initial period of operation when production rates would typically be less than ten to twelve jobs an hour, one compartment of each expandable dip tank is used for immersion and the other compartment left dry or used for other purposes such as storage. When volume increases to above the design capacity, the expandable tanks are expanded. If bulkhead divided tanks are used, the bulkhead is removed which joins the first and second compartments, thus doubling the length of the tank.