The subtle beauty of the desert landscape around Palm Springs, California, is colored with beiges, browns and muted reds, that is until the Morongo Casino comes into view.
The striking design of the $250 million casino, hotel and spa features a unique canopy that covers the facility’s main entrance. Reminiscent of a desert bloom, the steel structure is composed of interconnecting “grids” that flow out from the center and curve over the incoming traffic before anchoring delicately to the ground. Even more dramatic at night when multi-colored lighting makes it appear to be swaying in a desert breeze, the structure has become a signature symbol for the business and was even recognized by the American Institute of Steel Construction with its Engineering Award of Excellence.
Choosing a coating system that would live up to the structure itself was no easy task considering the extreme conditions for which it would be subjected. Wild temperature fluctuations and intense ultra-violet light exposure are commonplace in the desert, so Tnemec coating consultant Tony Hobbs recommended a three-coat system that would not only provide long-term protection to the steel substrate, but would also maintain the appearance of the structure for years.
The steel was primed with Series 90-97 Tneme-Zinc, a zinc-rich moisture-cured polyurethane with excellent corrosion resistance, followed by a polyamidoamine epoxy called Series N69 Hi-Build Epoxoline II. The topcoat had to have excellent color and gloss retention, so Hobbs turned to Series 1075 Endura-Shield II, a semi-gloss aliphatic polyurethane with exceptional aesthetic performance. The entire coating system was applied in the fabricator’s shop and with minimal touch-up performed after erection.
“This is a gorgeous design and absolutely stunning when you see it in person,” Hobbs said. “I’m very proud to be a part of it.”