The short answer to the question is yes; industrial coatings can be reapplied whenever necessary. It’s possible to reapply most types of industrial coatings as they’re designed for reapplication when the original one wears off. Reapplication can also be done partly or whole, depending on the level of degradation of the original coating. The following is a look at what’s involved in reapplying an industrial coating to your equipment.
Why Industrial Coatings Degrade
Degradation happens for various reasons, with the major ones being wear and tear, weather, and impacts on the equipment. Industrial environments tend to be harsh ones, something that causes the compounds in the coating to break down over time. This happens to every coating, with the difference coming in the form of quality. For example, Teflon FED coatings can last for years due to their resistant properties and are easily reapplied when the current coat has worn away.
Should You Stick With the Same Coating?
In most cases, yes, you should have the original coating material reapplied. For example, a piece of equipment had one of the Chemours Teflon coatings applied for waterproofing. The equipment was designed to be used with a specific coating in order to be as effective as possible and also aid in longevity. During the design process, the lifespan of the coating was taken into consideration, and an instruction for reapplication was included in the paperwork for the equipment.
What this means is that reapplying the same coating is in alignment with what the designer intended when they created and tested the unit. Using the same coating is the best course of action as it restores the unit back to its original state and level of effectiveness.
Sometimes it happens that a coating gets discontinued, which means you have to switch to a different coating material. Look for a coating material that’s similar in chemistry and properties, or check with an industrial coating supplier to learn more about alternatives. It’s also a good idea to contact the manufacturer for guidance in the event a warranty is still in effect on the unit.
The Benefits of Reapplying Industrial Coatings
Industrial equipment is designed to be durable and lasting under heavy use and weather conditions. Industrial coatings play a role in the durability factor, but they don’t always last as long as the equipment. However, if you don’t keep up with reapplication, you’re exposing the unit to atmospheric conditions that can cause deterioration.
If you’re not sure about reapplying an industrial coating to your equipment, contact the equipment manufacturer or an authorized repair service to learn more. Most of the time, a piece of equipment can get re-coated, but knowing is better than assuming.
Making Your Reapplication Last Longer
Coatings have a tendency to deteriorate in patches, but they can also disappear in their entirety. When you find that the coating is looking patchy, you have the option to take off the remainder for a full re-coating or fill in the patches.
Filling in the patches makes sense when they’re limited to small areas and most of the original coat is still intact. The patching makes the coating whole again and is effective at protecting the surface. In the event the coating has large patches, it’s best to strip the surface clean and start fresh with a new coating.
Getting the Right Industrial Coating for Your Needs
At Sun Coating Company, we offer custom industrial coatings for a wide range of industries. We’re always testing and evaluating coating formulas for different applications to ensure that the products we sell are going to meet our customer’s needs. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services and products and how we work hard to deliver customer satisfaction.