Patent ID: 8563075

Claim:
A method for coating a fuel cell bipolar plate, the method comprising the steps of: providing the bipolar plate having an active surface with a plurality of flow channels formed therein, the plurality of flow channels defining a plurality of lands therebetween; applying a hydrophilic coating to the active surface of the bipolar plate; absorbing the hydrophilic coating from the plurality of lands, wherein the step of absorbing the hydrophilic coating includes compressing the bipolar plate between a pair of absorbent bodies, one of the absorbent bodies pressing against the hydrophilic coating on the plurality of lands with only a vertical pressure and without contacting the plurality of flow channels to absorb the hydrophilic coating from the plurality of lands and militate against an irregular or non-consistent accumulation of the hydrophilic coating in the plurality of flow channels; and finishing the hydrophilic coating disposed in the plurality of flow channels.