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Commercial Painting

Moorhouse Coating delivers high-end commercial paintwork on the largest structures

Structural Steel Painting

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Structural Steel Coating

Steel Coating

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Structural steel is often painted to protect it from corrosion, but it depends on the situation: 

  • Painting requirements

    Structural steel steel must be painted or protected if it's exposed to the exterior. 

  • Best coatings

    Some of the best coatings for structural steel include:

    • Epoxy: A widely used coating for industrial and marine applications 
    • Polyurethane: Often used as a topcoat over epoxy primers 
    • Zinc-rich: A coating that provides galvanic protection and corrodes to form a barrier between the steel and its surroundings. It's recommended for highly corrosive environments. 
    • PU: A coating that's sprayed on in multiple layers to enhance durability. It's often used for smaller components in machinery or equipment. 
  • Application methods

    Paints are typically applied to structural steel by brush, roller, conventional air spray, or airless spray. Airless spraying is the most common method for controlled shop conditions and or field application

  • Surface preparation

    Before applying paint, the surface should be cleaned of loose mill scale, rust, dirt, and other foreign matter. 

01 Preparation is key

The most important factor affecting the protective service life of a coating is the surface preparation prior to application of the coating. The best coating available will not give optimum service when applied over improperly cleaned surfaces. It is essential, therefore, that the coating is applied only to clean, sound, dry, and properly prepared surfaces.

02 Preparation Level

SP-1 Solvent Cleaning SP-2 Hand Tool Cleaning SP-3 Power Tool Cleaning SP-6 Commercial Blast Cleaning SP-10 Near-White Metal Blast Cleaning

03 Caulking

Caulk is applied to all joints, seams, built-up sections, or open seams greater than 6 mils using a sealing material after application of the undercoat. we verify the application of this material does not create a condition where water can pond. Another critical step is the curing of caulk prior to application of the finish. coats

04 Complete Coating Systems

1. To achieve an impervious membrane which inhibits corrosion. 2. To protect the steel against impact or abrasion. 3. To give the structure a pleasing appearance.
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05 Measurement

• Wet Film Thickness (WFT) is measured with a step gauge (non-electronic device) used by the painters during coating application to achieve a desired dry thickness. • Dry Film Thickness (DFT) is measured when the coating is dry (electronic device) to verify that the specified thickness was achieved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is structural steel painting, and why is it important?