Project Highlight: Multi-Structure Rehabilitation & Protective Coatings
Gemstone Industrial Services recently completed a complex rehabilitation project involving three separate structures, each requiring specialized surface preparation, protective coatings, and quality control procedures. The project combined abrasive blasting, structural coating systems, and bearing rehabilitation work under demanding field conditions.
Steel Structure Surface Preparation & Coatings
Two of the structures underwent extensive surface preparation and coating work focused around joints and splice plates. The scope included pressure washing followed by SP-10 Near White Metal abrasive blasting, extending seven feet on each side of the designated areas to ensure proper surface cleanliness and coating adhesion.
Following blasting, the structures received a high-performance coating system consisting of:
Organic zinc primer
Acrylic stripe coat
Full acrylic topcoat
Additional striping was required to achieve the specified coverage standards and ensure long-term coating performance in exposed environments.
Quality Control & Testing
To maintain strict project specifications and verify coating integrity, the project included multiple quality assurance procedures throughout execution.
These included:
CSN testing following abrasive blasting
Adhesion testing after the zinc primer cured
These inspections help confirm proper surface preparation, coating performance, and long-term durability.
Bearing Rehabilitation on Concrete Structure
The third structure was a concrete structure containing 48 steel bearings requiring protective coating application. The bearings received a two-coat Termarust calcium sulfonate system, selected for its corrosion protection capabilities and suitability for challenging environments.
Access to the bearings was achieved using a hydra platform truck, allowing crews to safely and efficiently complete the work.
Specialized Wet-on-Wet Coating Process
The rehabilitation process began with pressure washing using clean water, immediately followed by a Chlorrid treatment wash to remove contaminants from the steel surfaces.
The following day, crews applied the sealer coat immediately followed by the final coat using a wet-on-wet application process. Because the calcium sulfonate coating remains permanently wet, no cure time was required between applications, helping streamline the project schedule while maintaining coating performance.
Delivering Quality in Complex Environments
This project highlights Gemstone Industrial Services’ ability to execute specialized rehabilitation and protective coating systems across complex structures while maintaining strict standards for safety, quality, and technical performance.
From abrasive blasting and coating application to detailed inspection procedures and bearing rehabilitation, Gemstone continues to deliver solutions built for long-term infrastructure protection and reliability.
