If you’re looking to repaint your business facilities, you may need the skills and expertise of an industrial painter. As the name suggests, industrial painting involves working on structures and equipment in manufacturing plants, warehouses, and other large commercial facilities. A specialized skill set is needed to work safely and effectively in these settings, including familiarity with the proper use of protective gear, tools, and chemicals.
Unlike commercial painting, where aesthetics often play a role, the primary goal of industrial painting is to provide a protective coating for structures and equipment in manufacturing plants. This includes ensuring the structures are structurally sound and free of any rust or corrosion before applying a new coat of paint. Industrial painters are also trained to spot areas where additional maintenance is required, such as a crack or hole that needs to be repaired before the structure can be painted.
Industrial painting is a dangerous job, so it’s important for those who offer this service to be well-versed in the proper safety protocols and procedures. Typically, workers wear masks and goggles to protect themselves from the toxic materials used in the production process and should be qualified to understand the risks involved in their work. Some industrial environments are extremely large, and the painter may need to access hard-to-reach spaces using ladders, scaffoldings, or lifts.
A number of different types of paint and coatings are used in industrial settings, depending on the environment and the level of protection required. For example, epoxy, mastics, urethanes, and alkyds are all common in industrial settings due to their durability and resistance to various weather conditions. To ensure the final product meets their customer’s needs, industrial painters often choose to apply these coatings using spraying, rolling, or brushing techniques.
Paint additives are an integral part of most paints and can be used to enhance or modify the way the paint behaves. These include wetting agents, thickeners, retarders, defoamers, deodorizers, fungicides, plasticisers, and other substances that affect the chemical composition of the paint. The addition of these additives can change the properties of the paint such as its viscosity, drying time, gloss, or colour.
The classic paintbrush method is still widely used in industrial painting, as it can help achieve a highly detailed finish with a high degree of accuracy. Industrial painting brushes are available in a wide variety of shapes, patterns, and angles as well as bristle types and sizes. The best industrial painters utilize quality brushes and effective brushing technique to create their desired results.
A professional industrial painter will employ project planning, a precise estimate of paint quantities, and efficient inspection methods to complete projects on schedule and within budget. They will consider surface area, coating specifications, and other variables such as the amount of maintenance required after application to guarantee that the finished product adheres to industry standards and satisfies customer expectations. These professionals will also address any issues that arise during and after the painting process, such as blemishes or drips.