Blog

Along the Balearic Sea on the coast of mainland Spain sits Marina Barcelona, a well-known Marina within the yachting community. Within this Marina sat a €30 Million (40 Million USD) Superyacht in need of surface preparation on its hull. Yacht hulls define its speed, strength, and stability, so when hull coatings fail, the overall integrity of the ship becomes compromised, directly impacting the yacht’s performance and fuel efficiency. 

When process vessels were facing significant corrosion and breakdown of their existing coatings, Corroless Eastern Limited was asked to provide a solution that would solve the issue of failing coatings while prepping and recoating their capital assets. This presented challenges, as they had to accommodate the vessels’ operational temperature cycles and minimize dust generation inside the manufacturing setting.

Surface preparation plays a crucial role in ensuring the longevity and reliability of both old and new industrial assets. This was especially true for a newly constructed water tank in Carrollton, Missouri (USA). Designed for use in the water and wastewater industry, the tank's steel interior was covered in mill scale, which had to be removed prior to coating. 

Oil spills present a unique challenge in the surface preparation world. In these scenarios, the oil needs to be properly removed prior to painting or coating surfaces, as any residue left on the surface can cause significant problems down the line. When oil is spilled on equipment where the coatings are still in good shape, it is important to remove all the oil without damaging the current coatings.

Pipelines are crucial for transporting clean water from treatment plants to cities, businesses, and homes. By maintaining a closed piping system from the source to the faucet, water utilities reduce the risk of water contamination. During the manufacturing of these pipes, proper surface prep must be completed to ensure that they maintain their integrity after coating and installation.

Located along the main road of Steeleville, Illinois (USA), sits a charming Lutheran Church called St. Mark’s. Surrounded by both homes and businesses in the center of the small town, the Church is a well-known landmark in the community. Prior to a recent renovation, the staff at St Mark's noticed that much of the white paint was peeling off of this decorative ceiling, leaving areas of exposed tin.

Working around other trades is one of the most challenging aspects of any surface preparation and coating application job. If a building intends to stay open for business during abrasive blasting, a whole new level of logistical issues come into play. Fortunately, Sponge Media™ blasting eliminated many of the headaches involved with these two common jobsite challenges on a recent parking garage repair and renovation project. 

Not long ago in Washington D.C. (USA), a large fire broke out in a restaurant during its ongoing remodel. Located along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in the bustling neighborhood of Georgetown, the fire left heavy soot (about 20-30 mils) on a variety of different substrates inside the building, including brick, concrete, stone, and wood.

When the dome of the Old Capitol building began showing wear and tear from exposure to the extreme Midwest weather, it was critical that the existing gold leaf be removed and replaced without damaging the copper substrate.