Decades of accrued skills and experience begins with understanding which tools are best for the project, and how to use them effectively. Glavin Coating & Refinishing Ltd. has earned the reputation as a leader in industrial coatings for this very reason.

Each new project comes with unique considerations, whether it be large or small scale. Without a doubt, knowing which tools to use, and how to use them effectively, allows GCR to forward the benefits to their clients.

SURFACE PREPARATION

Abrasive Blasting
Depending on the substrate being prepared different abrasives can be used to obtain the best surface preparation results. Over the past 40 years we have used many different abrasives including: Garnet; Glass Bead; Recycled Glass; White Lighting; Copper Slag; Nickel Slag; Corn Cob; Dry Ice; Plastic; Steel Grit; and, Water Blasting. Along with the different types of media that can be used there are different degrees of blasting. The blasting standards GCR followings are written by The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) the 4 levels we mainly use are as follows:

Power & Hand Tool Preparation:
If a project requires a more delicate approach, such as when dust and debris can interfere with the operation of adjacent machinery, or when not all of the existing coating needs to be totally removed, the team at GCR aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and apply some elbow grease. The SSPC has:

For SP-11 a specialized tool called a wire bristle blaster is used. GCR has 2 MontiPower MBX tools on hand to complete this type of work.

High-pressure Washing:
Hot or cold, high-pressure washing techniques are extremely effective when preparing surfaces in all stages of restoration, on or off-site. The SSPC has 4 levels of washing to prepare substrates:

GCR has both hot and cold water machines in stock and access to high & ultra high pressure machines if needed.

SPRAY PAINTING

Airless Spray
Airless spraying is primarily used for projects with large surface areas such as bridges, structural steel, building walls and roofs. This type of application allows for the fast application of thick coat of paint. GCR uses Graco King Airless Sprayer with Graco Contractor PC Guns. Depending on the type of paint different paint tips must be used for application.

Pressure Pots
Pressure pots are best used on complicated, large scale projects that have a lot of corners and back to back metal. The precision of pressure pots comes from pressurized containers with compressed air that atomizes the flow of paint from the HVLP, Conventional or Compliant spray guns. This fine spray provides a smooth, glossy finish for industrial trucks, equipment and railings. GCR uses Binks 2.8 Gallon Tank with Binks Convential & Graco AirPro Spray guns.

Cup Guns
This tool is similar to working with pressure pots, but instead of being connected to large containers, cup guns have small paint containers attached. This allows precise, close range maneuverability necessary for fleet vehicles, large truck cabs and other smaller scale projects. GCR utilizes a Devilbiss Tekna Gravity Fed Cup Gun in our shop.

Roller/Brush Painting
When space limits the efficacy of spray painting, or when adjacent equipment is at risk of overspray, GCR will employ the precision of roller and/or brush painting. Although this may sound like a low-tech approach, it is at times the only way to apply primer and paint. It is also used in conjunction with spray painting but brushing areas with primer and paint that a spray gun can not fit.