Method for bonding thermoplastic films to metal surfaces of cylinders, vessels and component parts

A method for treating at least a portion of an interior surface of a container comprises the steps of: (1) heating the interior surface of the container to a temperature suitable for melting a primer composition; (2) applying the primer to at least a portion of the interior surface of the container; (3) heating the treated portion of the container to the temperature suitable for melting the primer composition to facilitate bonding of the primer to the treated surface of the container; (4) delivering the thermoplastic material to the treated portion of the container; and (5) bonding the thermoplastic material by heating the treated portion of the container to a temperature suitable for melting the thermoplastic material. The application of the primer and the thermoplastic material are preferably applied to the portion of the interior surface of the container by electrostatic powder deposition and/or liquid dispersion. In addition, the method of the present invention may further include one or more of the following steps: (1) smoothing and cleaning the interior surface of the container prior to preheating the container before application of the primer composition and (2) delivering and bonding one or more additional applications of the thermoplastic material to the treated portion of the interior surface of the container.