We were called to the scene of an airport that owned some fuel tanks. These fuel tanks were corroded and badly rusted, and were in need of an industrial coating that could withstand exposure to the outdoor elements.
Our first course of action was to pressure wash the tanks, to remove the failed coatings. A potential issue PennCoat considered was the corroded surface may be exposed to chlorides, sulfates, and salts. Salts can cause great damage to a new industrial coating, by causing pre-mature corrosion and adhesion failure. To prevent this concern, PennCoat pressure washed the substrate with a material called Chlor-Rid. This product is a salt soluble, and will remove the salt or sulfates that are still present on the substrate, that could ultimately impair the coating.
Once the pressure washing concluded, the fuel tanks still had a marginal amount of rust remaining on the surface. Ordinarily, our installers will hand tool using flappy wheels, or hand grinders to remove the rust from the surface. However, because these were fuel tanks, there was a threat and danger that any type of steel grinding may cause sparks, and an explosion. So the alternative course of action was to wet sand the substrate. This would prevent any chance of creating any sparks which would dispell any possible explosion.
We have a lot of experience dealing with corroded steel. We have have gone through many painting products that attempt to withhold and prevent future rust and bleeding from beneath the surface. One of the most effective products we have used is POR15. POR15 offers a “polydigital” adhesion, which allows the material to “crosslink” into a rusted or corroded substrate. Typical primers lay on top of the substrate, creating a sub-standard bond when compared to POR15. Additionally, POR15 is moisture-cured, meaning that the more moisture it is exposed to, the harder it will become. So, when the vulnerable surface is threatened by rust-causing moisture, the POR15 will create a stronger defense when the moisture is threatening. POR15 needs to be spot primed onto the rusted areas. It is unnecessary and inefficient to coat the entire surface with POR15.
Once the prep is completed, it is not time to apply the industrial paint. Because we are dealing with a metal substrate that is outdoors, we have to consider that it is exposed to a lot of elements, such as UV light and moisture. So, we’re going to need an industrial coating that will maintain its color and integrity while battling UV rays, that can tolerate the wet and dry conditions of being outdoors. We selected an acrylic urethane coating. An acrylic urethane has adequate elongation properties to flex with the substrate, while maintaining the material’s color. The final coat was brush and rolled, which left for a nice finish.
PennCoat, Inc. has been providing industrial painting, commercial painting, epoxy flooring, and polished concrete services for nearly 30 years. Our experienced installers are trained and equipped with the proper knowledge and tools to ensure that every installation is installed efficiently and safely. PennCoat, Inc. provides service to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. And we cover York, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, Baltimore, Harrisburg, Dauphin, Bucks, Berks, and other counties in the surrounding area.