Things To Consider When Coating Metal Surfaces
When dealing with metal surfaces there is a few things industrial painters and commercial painters need to consider. One thing to consider is the blast spec that needs to be met for the project. An SSPC blasting guide is helpful when configuring the blasting spec. SSPC stands for the Society for Protective Coatings and they create standards for coatings that protect and preserve concrete, steel and other industrial and marine structures and surfaces. A SSPC blasting chart is shown below.
Type Of Coating & Film Thickness
A second thing to consider when painting metal surfaces is the type of coating and film thickness that needs to be achieved. To protect your metal surfaces from corrosion and environmental factors there is wide range coating systems to consider. Some coatings we use for metal surfaces include epoxy coatings, urethane coatings, alkyd coatings, and zinc-rich coatings. The factors when choosing one of the coatings listed are the price, quality, longevity, and weather. Dry film thickness (DFT) is the thickness of a coating measured once the coating has cured. We use a coating thickness gauge to measure DFT to ensure the coating was applied as specified. Every situation is different for the businesses we work with, talk with one of our coatings experts to find the best coating package for you.
Environmental Factors When Painting
A final thing to consider when painting metal surfaces is the environmental factors that can effect the coating process. Some environmental factors that affect the coating process includes the temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Every coating has a data sheet associated with it and will show you what exact environmental factors to factor in. When dealing with the temperature it will affect what coating you can use and the drying time of the coating. We will use a different coating in cold weather than we would in warm weather. The drying time typically will be longer when the weather is colder. The data sheet will show what humidity the coating can be applied at and cured at. Lastly coatings need dry weather conditions without rain or snow to dry and cure successfully.