When a 235,000-gallon standpipe at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, needed refurbishing as part of a long-term maintenance agreement with Caldwell Tanks, the latest coating technology from Tnemec produced heavenly results. “Originally, someone had repainted the tank with barn paint and an acrylic topcoat, which you could peel off in ribbons,” according to Tnemec coating consultant Mike Barnhill. “The new products were chosen based on their improved performance, such as color and gloss retention for long-term aesthetics, faster dry times and resistance to weathering and abrasion.”
After the tank’s surface was prepared in accordance with SSPC-SP7/NACE No. 4 Brush-Off Blast Cleaning to remove the old exterior paint, applicators primed the exterior with Series 27WB Typoxy, an advanced generation, high solids water-based epoxy that is excellent as a tie coat on previously painted surfaces. This innovative coating, which is thinned with potable water for ease of application, offers nearly 100 percent solids by volume, is virtually odor free and volatile organic compound (VOC) compliant. The cured film forms a very hard surface that can be topcoated by nearly all Tnemec water borne and solvent-borne coatings.
Barnhill emphasized proper pump size when using Series 27WB Typoxy. “It’s a high solids material that requires a large pump,” Barnhill advised. Thorough premixing of components is also important, making sure the mixed product is thinned 20 to 25 percent with clean water, Barnhill acknowledged.
A finish coat of Series 740 UVX, an advanced technology polyurethane that combines less than 100 grams/liter VOC content with superior color and gloss retention, was roller-applied. Series 740 UVX provides a hard, durable film that stands up to abrasion and exterior weathering.
“Overall, everyone was complimentary of these products and would have no problem using them in the future,” Barnhill added. “With both products having such low VOC content, they make a great coating system when used together.”
Founded in 1848 by 44 Trappist Monks from the Abbey of Melleray in western France, the Abbey of Gethsemani is a cloistered community that supports itself through the sale of specialty food items.