Blasting and industrial coatings: why surface preparation decides coating life
Owners spend real money on high-performance coating systems, yet a large share of failures we see in the field trace back to one thing: inadequate surface preparation. Silverfox performs abrasive blasting and coating in-house, in the same shop where the steel is fabricated, so the surface is right before the first coat goes on.
Cleanliness standards that matter
We prepare to SSPC/NACE standards depending on the service: SSPC-SP 6 (Commercial Blast) for general industrial atmospheres, SSPC-SP 10 (Near-White) for immersion, chemical and coastal exposure, and SSPC-SP 5 (White Metal) where the specification demands it. Cleanliness is verified visually and, when required, with soluble salt testing.
Profile is as important as cleanliness
Coatings need an anchor pattern. Too shallow and adhesion suffers; too deep and peaks poke through the film and rust early. We control abrasive type and size to hit the profile the coating manufacturer specifies, typically 1.5 to 3.5 mils, and measure it with replica tape.
Coating systems we apply
- Zinc-rich primers with epoxy intermediate and polyurethane topcoat for exterior structural steel.
- Epoxy phenolic and novolac linings for tanks and vessels in chemical service.
- High-temperature silicone and inorganic zinc for hot piping and equipment.
- Manufacturer-specified systems for owner-standard projects.
Documentation you can audit
Every job ships with a coating report: ambient conditions (dew point, relative humidity, surface temperature), blast profile readings, wet and dry film thickness (DFT) per coat, and holiday testing where applicable. It is the same discipline we apply to weld records, and it is what keeps warranties valid.
Ready to specify a coating system that will last? See our blasting and painting capabilities or request a quote.
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