Zinc rich coating process

A method for depositing a zinc based coating on a part comprising:

• providing a process tank comprising an inlet end and an outlet end, a fluid coating material comprising zinc disposed in the process tank such that the process tank is filled to a fluid coating level, an inert gas blanket disposed in the process tank above the fluid coating material such that the process tank is filled to an inert gas blanket level, and a process tank conveyor defining a tank conveyor path extending at least between the inlet end and the outlet end of the process tank;
• delivering a part through the inert gas blanket and into the fluid coating material, wherein the inert gas blanket reduces moisture from contacting the part;
• coating the part in the fluid coating material by maintaining the part in the process tank for a coating period;
• removing the coated part from the fluid coating material;
• and
• drying the part after removal from the fluid coating material by maintaining the part in the inert gas blanket for a drying period.