The almost 90-year-old windows required a high-performance protective coatings system to restore their appearance and protect them and retain as much of the original fabric as possible.
In line with policies contained in the Conservation Management Plan and under the management of the assigned principal Planned Group, the heritage windows were stripped and repaired before being restored and protected with a custom Dulux® Protective Coatings system.
Custom specification for a significant heritage asset
Preserving a heritage asset for future generations requires experience and expertise. Dulux Protective Coatings Trade Specialist for NSW/ACT, Greg Scott, was able to contribute both to this project.
Due to the bridge's close proximity to salt water, corrosion resistance is of utmost importance, so a recommendation for a three-step maintenance coatings system consists of:
• Prime coat: Dulux® Durebild® STE @ 125-microns (µm) DFT for all steel bare areas.
• First coat: Dulux® Durebild® STE @ 125-microns (µm) DFT. Providing excellent corrosion barrier resistance and barrier protection, this maintenance coating can be applied over hand tool, power tool or high-pressure water cleaned steel where blasting is impractical or not allowed. This makes it ideal for heritage projects where some rust is already present.
• Topcoat: Dulux® Weathermax® HBR MIO Mid Grey @ 100-microns (µm) DFT. This high build polyurethane coating dries to a highly durable finish that resists extreme UV exposure, abrasion, and moisture ingress. The micaceous iron oxide (MIO) pigment particles interlock in the film to form a protective barrier.
Find out more about this technology in our MIO product spotlight.
Preserving Historic Buildings with Expert Coatings Application
Using an expert application for premium results, the principal Planned Group and the applicators Class One Painting Solutions Pty Ltd, carefully planned and executed the application of the three-coat system, whilst ensuring the high retention of the original fabric structure.
Despite the refurbishment, the visitor centre remained operational with minimal disruption. These high-performance coatings not only achieved an aesthetic result but also effectively preserved the steel window frames, offering essential resistance against corrosion and weathering. Regular inspections of the topcoat will determine if a future maintenance coating system is necessary, ensuring the preservation of this historic building for generations to come.
Image courtesy of Planned Group.
