The Problem
A common challenge in addressing corrosion on pier pylons or any structure near water is that you are unable to perform abrasive blasting. Most protective coatings rely on this type of surface preparation to ensure long-term performance in these harsh environments. This is particularly difficult in the tidal zone where the pylons will be submerged in water within hours.
Until now, there have been no products on the market that provide a good long-term solution to this problem.
Introducing NanoPrep!
The Application
NanoPrep provides the perfect eco-friendly surface preparation solution. The product converts rust into an iron phosphate layer that adheres very strongly to the substrate through nanotechnology. The product also has high tolerance to chlorides due to its acidic base which neutralises the chlorides. This provides a high quality surface preparation for appropriate coatings to be used.
As the tide goes down, the pylons are pressure washed to remove loose rust scale. One coat of NanoPrep is applied and left for two hours to dry. Belzona 5831 moisture tolerant epoxy is then applied, which can cure underwater as the tide rises. The next day, a gentle pressure wash to remove surface chlorides and then a thin coat of NanoPrep is applied and left for two hours. The final coat of Wattyl DTM985 is then applied for UV and immersion protection.
Job done!
The Outcome
This application was completed 18 months ago at the time of publishing and is still in perfect condition.
Project Specification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Industry | Marine |
| Application | Protective coating on corroded and submerged pier pylons |
| Environment | Sensitive marine tidal zone |
| Surface condition | Corroded steel in aggressive tidal environment |
| Surface preparation | Pressure wash and hand tool clean — no blasting |
| NanoPrep system | NanoPrep rust primer + Belzona 5831 + Wattyl DTM985 |
| Key requirement | Non-hazardous, environmentally safe application |
