In 2021, the Puffing Billy Railway took its offerings to the next level with the addition of the Lakeside Visitor Centre designed by Terroir Architects and built by Kane Constructions.
Situated in the picturesque Emerald Lake Park in Emerald, Victoria, the $24.8m building is a seamless blend of modernity and nature, with its sleek architectural features set beautifully amidst the surrounding native bushland.
Constructed of mild steel with hardwood cladding, the structural steel framework needed protection and durability against corrosion.
Long-lasting internal and external protection
For the hugely popular tourist attraction, minimising disruption was a priority. Dulux® Protective Coatings' Regional Manager Chris Eldred recommended a system that offered durable protection with long service windows.
For the external steel, the three-coat system consisted of:
• 1st coat: Dulux® Zincanode® 402 @ 75-microns (µm) DFT
• 2nd coat: Dulux® Duremax® GPE @ 150-microns (µm) DFT
• Topcoat: Dulux® Luxathane® SPX @ 50-microns (µm) DFT
The internal mild steel received a two-coat system consisting of:
• 1st coat: Dulux® Duremax® GPE ZP @ 100-microns (µm) DFT
• Topcoat: Dulux® Luxathane® SPX @ 50-microns (µm) DFT
The form and function of Luxathane SPX
The hero product of this protective coating system is Luxathane SPX, it is specifically formulated for use in commercial and industrial environments where extended service periods are required.
As Chris explains, the product's smooth, satin finish was perfect for the striking architectural features of the Lakeside Visitor Centre.
"Where the aesthetics are important, we often specify Luxathane. It's ideal for joinery or building facades."
Highly versatile, Luxathane can be used on properly primed steel, galvanised steel, aluminium, concrete, hardwood timber and MDF.
It is popular with specifiers due to its:
• High UV resistance
• Excellent gloss retention
• Very good drying and recoat properties
• Long term recoatability
The protective properties of Duremax
Duremax GPE was used as a secondary primer on the Lakeside Visitor Centre's external steel, while Duremax GPE ZP was the primer for the internal steel.
Both high performance coatings specifically developed for Australian and New Zealand conditions, Duremax GPE ZP contains a zinc phosphate pigment which provides additional inhibitive corrosion protection.
Underlying protection with Zincanode primer
The external steel received an additional layer of protection with Zincanode 402, a two pack epoxy zinc rich primer formulated for cathodic corrosion resistance in harsh corrosive environments.
The workhorse of the system, Zincanode 402 is often specified for power generation plants, bulk handling equipment and oil refineries.
"With rapid dry and overcoat times, and no need to mist coat, Zincanode 402 can save applicators precious time," Chris says.
