Large-scale construction projects are only possible with the aid of heavy equipment, vehicles and machinery which are some of the largest machines in the world. These mechanical wonders are often found in heavy-duty engineering zones where major earth-moving is required. Bulldozers, forklifts, backhoe and cranes – these are just some of the critical machines that make modern engineering and construction possible.
These machines expel a lot of force and power for activities such as lifting, breaking or moving large quantities of soil and rocks, among other equally strenuous tasks. Massive stresses from the daily grind therefore take a toll on the physical condition of these machines. Corrosion, abrasion and physical impacts can wear them down to degrade their performance.
Since the occurrence of wear and tear is inevitable, heavy machinery painting is needed to extend the machines’ useful life and prolong their value to the business.
Cost Avoidance
Heavy machinery often means heavy investments, from the purchase cost, insurance, property taxes, and storage costs. The costs can further increase while the machine is operational. Fuel costs, tires, parts replacements, and any repair and maintenance work like heavy machinery painting, can add up to the machinery costs.
From a financial standpoint, heavy machinery painting to protect and repair the machinery is by far more reasonable than outright replacement. The costs of heavy machinery painting drop further when damages are detected earlier and in a timely manner, before they have become severe.
Through heavy machinery painting and coating, the machinery’s useful life is lengthened at lesser costs.
The Painting Processes
The processes involved in heavy machinery painting application do not differ much from regular industrial painting applications. The key difference is that the tasks are larger in scope.
To prepare the machinery, it is often cleaned using a high-pressure washer. Because dirt and grease may have accumulated in the surface, de-greasing is also done. To remove old paints and surface imperfections, the entire surface is blasted thoroughly and blown dry.
The painting application process usually employs thicker multi-coats of superior paint. The initial primer coat goes first, and a second coating is layered on top of the primer. A third and final coat is necessary to seal the coating system for added durability. A touch up may have to be used if any areas of the surface require it.
Heavy Machinery and Equipment Painting Projects
Because of the costs of maintenance, plus the fact that critical machinery is frequently operational for most of it’slife, owners try to find an appropriate downtime and reason for repairs before calling heavy machinery painting contractors in. When the latter comes in, they are confronted with heavy equipment and vehicles that look distinctly deteriorating, or showing extensive damages from corrosion, abrasion and weathering.
The heavy machinery painting contractor must have the right experience and skills for the job, which involves everything from encapsulating the machine, removing or blasting off old paint and cleaning the machine surface.
For heavy machinery painting, the highest-performing coating solution is an absolute must because, when these machines go back to work, the coating system must be able to withstand the rigorous conditions it will be exposed to. The contractor must have the appropriate solution, and apply this with minimal downtime.
