When carrying out surface preparation before painting a fabrication, it is essential that the same amount of attention to detail is given as to the fabrication processes themselves. A below-standard weld would affect the integrity of the fabrication, and a sub-standard surface preparation would affect the quality of the paint finish and its ability to adhere to the surface of the fabrication. This is even more essential if the surface of the fabrication is being prepared prior to the application of a corrosion protection coating.
To ensure the best surface key for painting, it is advisable to have the fabrication thoroughly shot blasted. The fabrication is placed in a shot blasting cabinet or room and steel grit is used to remove any possible contaminants left on the fabrication.
Shot blasting with steel grit is ideal for:
- Removing paint
- Deburring (the removal of dirt and debris created during machining operations, such as grinding, drilling and milling)
- Eradicating any sand left on the fabrication during casting
- Ensuring a sound key for painting
- Removal of scale before and after any heat treatment processes, such as welding
It is important that shot blasting is carried out thoroughly and in accordance with the surface preparation standard – BS EN ISO 8501-1:2001. This standard covers the “Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products. Visual assessment of surface cleanliness. Rust grades and preparation grades of uncoated steel substrates and of steel substrates after overall removal of previous coatings.”[1]
Lycett Fabrications manufacture high quality, precision made medium and heavy steel fabrications to customers in industries such as mining engineering, oil and gas engineering, renewable energy, nuclear, transport and material handling. Based in Tamworth, we are ideally placed to serve the whole of the UK and are able to provide a quick turnaround for urgent orders.
We are able to offer a complete fabrication service that covers all processes including welding, non-destructive testing, machining, boring, drilling, flame cutting, chamfering, bending forming, levelling, sawing, cropping, shot blasting and painting/finishing. Browse our website for further information on all of these services.
[1] Source: BSi Group