Excellence in Galvanizing
Wedge Group Galvanizing is the only UK distributor of Galvacoat – a special paint specifically designed for use on galvanized steel – and it was for this that its Wessex Galvanizers plant was called upon by Triangle Ltd who were replacing 16 linear metres of railing at a roadside after it was damaged in an accident.
Triangle Ltd opted for the black finish on the two tonnes of steel they were working with, to match the existing railing owned by their clients Amey and Hampshire Council.
Triangle Ltd’s Jerry Engelbrecht said: “We chose to use Galvacoat as it meant we didn’t have to etch the new galvanized surface. It is also cost effective and it sprayed on very well. Both the client and ourselves were really pleased with the job. All the work was carried out at night under road closure so spraying in the dark was a bit more difficult than it would have been ordinarily!”
Triangle Ltd is one of many companies using Galvacoat as an alternative to standard paints which are not designed for non-ferrous metals such as zinc and therefore require special etch primers.
If the wrong type of paint is applied, it can react with the galvanizing to form a layer of salts which will then cause the paint to lose adhesion over time. In contrast, Galvacoat has received the GT0 rating following a British Standards test which involves cross cutting a surface to leave small squares then applying and removing sticky tape which will rip off the paint if the bond is not strong enough. The GT0 rating is only given if the tape did not remove any of the paint.
Galvacoat is a one-coat solution when colour needs to be added to galvanized steel, either to complement existing branding or create a bigger visual impact. As well as being easy to apply, it also saves on the time and effort needed to repaint the steel if standard paint is used. It has excellent resistance to UV exposure and can be applied by brush, air or airless spray and expected to last between eight and ten years.
By Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd