Magnetic Separation for Automotive Degreasing and E-Coat Pretreatment
Automotive pretreatment lines — the degreasing, phosphate conversion, and rinse stages that prepare vehicle body panels for E-coat and topcoat painting — present unique ferrous particle management challenges. Metallic fines from stamping, welding spatter, and rust scale from body panels enter the degreasing bath continuously. Without removal, these particles degrade bath chemistry, accumulate on the polypropylene coalescing media of conventional OWS units, and carry over into downstream bath stages — creating corrosion initiation sites under the coating that cause rust perforation failures.
The PAC-MAG high-intensity inline magnetic separator is specifically designed for automotive degreasing applications — a design heritage that traces directly to MHD Magnets' 20+ years of European automotive pretreatment installations. The PAC-MAG removes metallic fines from the degreasing circuit continuously, at a fineness (sub-1 micron) that conventional drum separators cannot match, and with an automatic self-cleaning cycle that matches the continuous operating schedule of automotive assembly lines.
PAC-MAG in automotive degreasing
In a standard automotive degreasing installation, the PAC-MAG is installed inline on the degreasing bath circulation circuit — between the bath sump and the return header. The entire bath volume circulates through the PAC-MAG at a rate that turns over the bath contents once per hour. Metallic particles entering the bath from each vehicle body are removed before they complete a full circuit of the bath — maintaining bath clarity and chemistry within specification throughout the production shift.
- —Bath life: 2–3x extension versus unfiltered or drum-separator-filtered baths — reduced chemical purchase and bath dump frequency
- —Downstream protection: Metallic particles removed before reaching the phosphate stage — improved phosphate coating uniformity and adhesion quality
- —Sub-micron capture: PAC-MAG's 12,800 Gauss field removes particles below 1 micron — the size range that conventional drum separators miss entirely
- —Automatic cleaning: Configurable spray cleaning cycle — no manual cleaning intervention
Service Locations — Automotive Degreasing
Still running media filters that consume rolls every few hours in grinding?
K Factor's 30-day free trial is available for magnetic separation systems. We assess your ferrous particle loading, fluid type, flow rate, and downstream filtration system. We commission the appropriate GT-MAG, PAC-MAG, or K-MAG inline in your circuit. You run it for 30 days and measure the reduction in media consumption, coolant clarity, and tool life. If the results don't justify the investment, return the system. No invoice. No commitment.
Available to qualifying facilities in the United States, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other markets.