Steel signage restoration – abrasive blasting and protective coatings
Restoration Jetstar sign at Avalon airport Geelong
At Complete Metal Protection we recently had the privilege of working with Hanlon Industries on the restoration of the Jetstar sign at Avalon Airport. This particular job is an excellent example of the fact that not all protective coating systems are the same. We would expect this project to last for 10 to 15 years before it needs to be refreshed. Upon our initial inspection, we discovered heavy pitted rusting in many of the girders. Pitted rusting, even after a sustained period, is not typical for a job that has been completed using the correct coating system.
The environment and elements at Avalon Airport can be extreme. The elements go from the extreme temperatures of the mid-forties in summer to low single-digit figures in winter. The temperature extremes do not take into account the high-velocity winds and the salt air coming in from Corio bay. This means that any steel exposed to the elements needs to have an exceptionally high-quality coating system.
For this particular project, Hanlon Industries were very specific in providing a quality solution for their client and nominated the following three coat system.
- Class 2.5 blast
- Excellent high zinc rich epoxy primer
- High build epoxy intermediate coat
- Satin Polyurethane topcoat
The results speak for themself and will continue to do so for a good ten to fifteen years. To restore the signage is a fraction of the cost of replacing yet is now as good as new and better protected to face the elements. It’s not about merely providing a coating service. First, you have to understand the purpose of the steel, and what it is going to be used for, then you need to understand the elements that the steel will be subjected to. Once you have understood the factors impacting the project at hand, can you then develop the most appropriate steel coating system?
The Jetstar Avalon signage required long-lasting outdoor steel signage that is to be subjected to extreme temperatures and salt air corrosion as well. At Complete Metal Protection, we are incredibly proud of our team and the job completed.
