At Sun Coating Company, we are often asked by customers how to properly care for industrial coatings to maximize their longevity and return on investment. The truth is that quality coatings can last many years with proper maintenance. Here are some best practices for industrial coating maintenance to help maximize the coatings’ lifespan.
Regular Inspections are Critical
One of the most important aspects of industrial coating maintenance is regular inspection. Coating surfaces, including military coating, should be periodically examined for any signs of damage, defects, or degradation. Look for issues like scratches, cracks, blistering, peeling, erosion, and corrosion. The frequency of inspections depends on factors like the coating type and the harshness of the environment. More aggressive conditions demand more frequent inspections.
It’s recommended to start with a general visual inspection, looking for obvious flaws. For more in-depth examinations, use tools like wet sponge testing, adhesion testing, dry film thickness gauges, and holiday/pinhole detectors. Address any problem areas right away before they can spread or worsen. This will extend the coating’s service life.
Proper Cleaning Prevents Premature Failure
In addition to inspecting coatings, regularly cleaning the surfaces is essential. Allowing contaminants like dirt, grease, oil, salt deposits, chemicals, and other residues to build up can lead to premature coating failure. Use cleaning methods suitable for the coating type per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Pressure washing and steam cleaning are common cleaning techniques, but take care not to damage the coating surface in the process. Solvent cleaning or detergents may also be used. Be sure to thoroughly rinse surfaces after cleaning. Proper cleaning prevents coating degradation and enhances longevity.
Timely Repairs Extend Service Life
When inspections reveal flaws or damage to the coating, it’s important to make repairs in a timely fashion before corrosion and further degradation can take hold underneath the coating. For minor flaws like pinholes or small scratches, the coating can often be touched up using matching coating materials. Larger damaged areas will require stripping and reapplying the coating.
Catching coating damage early makes repairs much easier. The longer flaws exist, the more likely corrosion is taking hold unseen under the coating. Timely repairs keep things surface level before extensive remediation is required. This extended the coating’s service life.
Proper Surface Preparation for Recoating
When recoating is needed, properly preparing the underlying surface is one of the most vital steps. Existing coatings must be fully removed to reveal a clean, dry, properly profiled substrate. Insufficient surface prep leads to poor adhesion and premature coating failure.
Abrasive blasting is usually required to remove existing coatings and corrosion deposits down to bare material. The surface profile should match the coating manufacturer’s specifications – typically 2-3 mils for industrial coatings. Cleanliness is also critical for good adhesion. Inspect and test the prepared surface per standards before coating. Rushing or inadequate surface prep causes future coating failure.
Preventive Maintenance for Added Protection
For some coating applications like floors, preventive maintenance can significantly extend service life. This involves periodically applying a maintenance coat to high-traffic areas before wear becomes severe. This restores the coating’s protective properties in zones prone to early degradation.
Preventive maintenance should take place well before the coating’s expected life is reached. For floor coatings, this might mean a maintenance coat every 2-4 years. It’s a proactive step to avoid more costly repairs or major restoration later on.
Proper Storage Keeps Coated Parts Like New
For coated equipment, parts, and components that will be stored for a period of time before installation, proper storage practices prevent unnecessary coating damage. Keep parts clean, dry, and away from moisture during storage. Use padding, end caps, racks, and dust covers as needed to protect from abrasion, impact, and other damage.
Take steps to prevent parts from sticking together in storage as well. This avoids coating transfer or peeling injuries. Proper storage keeps coatings in pristine condition so they provide maximum corrosion protection when the parts are eventually installed.
Reach Out to Us to Learn More
With regular inspection, timely repairs, proper cleaning, preventive maintenance, and care in storage and handling, industrial coatings, like hot plate welding coatings, can achieve their maximum life. Don’t let small flaws go unchecked and turn into major failures. Be proactive with coating maintenance for the best return on investment. With the right care, high-performance coatings will serve reliably for years. Call us at Sun Coating Company to learn more.