Request a quote ›Protection and final appearance
Surface finishes.
The right finish slows corrosion, simplifies maintenance and defines the appearance of the product. We select protection according to the material, environment, structural details and expected service life.
Life doesn't start with topcoat. It starts with the shape of the detail, drainage and preparation of the base.
Protection systems
Every surface has its place.
A different system belongs to an indoor workbench, a road fence needs a different protection and a steel structure in an industrial or wet operation needs a different protection.
Hot-dip galvanizing
The steel is immersed in molten zinc. The coating also protects more complex surfaces, but the construction needs holes for ventilation and drainage.
Powder coating
Uniform decorative surface in a wide range of colors and structures. Quality depends on pretreatment and proper curing.
Wet painting
A flexible system for large constructions, repairs and precisely defined paint compositions. It is applied in one or more layers.
Duplex system
Hot-dip galvanizing combined with a coloured coating. It combines the barrier protection of zinc with colour and an additional protective layer.
Ground and polished stainless steel
The appearance is created by mechanical treatment of the surface. The direction of the grinding, the quality of the stainless steel and the cleanliness of the production are equally important.
Primer protection
A temporary shop primer is not automatically a final exterior coating system. The complete coating build-up must be defined in advance.
Selection according to the environment
Colour alone does not determine service life.
Before designing, we need to know whether the product will be in a dry interior, in the rain, by the road, in industry, near chemicals or regularly washed.
| Environment | What stresses the structure | Possible solutions | An important detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry interior | Abrasion, handling, local humidity | Powder or wet paint | Cleanability and edge resistance |
| Ordinary exterior | Rain, condensation, UV and temperature changes | Zinc, paint or designed coating system | Water drainage, closed joints and cuts |
| Exterior during communication | Salt, dust, water and mechanical damage | Robust zinc or duplex | Regular washing and damage control |
| Industry and high humidity | Condensation, chemicals, vapors | System designed according to exposure | Layer compatibility and local fixes |
| Hygienic operation | Washing, disinfection and frequent contact | Suitable stainless steel or special coating | Smooth welds, joints and chemical resistance |
Service life
The exact protection system is determined according to the corrosion category, required durability, construction details and technical data sheets of specific products.
Edges, welds, joints and water retention areas are more important for protection than a large flat surface.
Surface preparation
The most expensive layer is the one that peels off.
Grease, scale, rust, welding spatter and inappropriate roughness can devalue even a high-quality coating. Therefore, preparation must be part of the technological procedure.
- Removal of grease, dust, scale and corrosion.
- Rounding of sharp edges and cleaning of welds as required by the system.
- Blasting or chemical pretreatment according to material and coating.
- Control of dryness, cleanliness and time between preparation and application of the layer.
- Covering threads, bearings, contacts and mounting surfaces.
Quality detail
Corrosion protection starts at the design stage.
The shape of the part must allow cleaning, painting, galvanizing and water drainage. An additional solution tends to be more expensive and less reliable.
Environment
We will determine humidity, chemical and mechanical stress.
Construction
Holes, cavities, joints, sharp edges and places that retain water.
Preparation
Degreasing, cleaning, blasting or chemical pretreatment.
Layers
Thickness, compatibility, curing and final surface control.
Maintenance
Cleaning, damage control and local repair before corrosion occurs.
Surface appearance
Gloss, matte and fine structure.
The same RAL shade can look different on smooth, matt and textured finishes. The substrate, direction of light and size of the surface also affect the result.
Before the final selection
- Compare the physical sample in both daylight and artificial light.
- Verify the availability of the shade in the chosen paint or panel system.
- Consider the visibility of dust, fingerprints, scratches and local repairs.
- Coordinate gates, panels, flashings and steelwork across the whole project.
The final shade is approved according to the real sample and the specific surface system.
Related chapters
Protection starts with the right material.
We coordinate the choice of surface with the type of steel, the geometry of the product and the required color.
We specify a finish for real operating conditions.
All we need is the purpose of the product, the place of installation, the desired appearance and the expected maintenance.