Situated on the edge of the Broadwater in sunny Gold Coast, the structure needed protection from airborne salt, moisture and intense UV rays. 

Dulux® Protective Coatings helped ensure this community space is prepared to welcome locals and tourists for play all-year round. We have partnered with Fleetwood Urban and applicators Central Coast Metal Protectives Pty Ltd on completion of this innovative design.

Tailoring a classic system to the high corrosivity environment

Great protection starts with an understanding of the asset's environment.

Dulux Protective Coatings' Technical Sales Representative, Grant Lowe, explains how the team approached this challenge: “We had to dramatically increase the film thickness of the intermediate coat and change it to a glass flake intermediate coat instead.”

A three-coat system was applied via spray to all steel on the play tower:

•    Primer: Dulux® Zincanode® 402 @ 75-microns (µm)
•    Second coat: Dulux® Duremax® GFX @ 200-microns (µm)
•    Topcoat: Dulux® Weathermax® HBR @ 75-microns (µm)

“This system is based on the PUR5, but we customised it into a boosted version with a stronger second coat,” says Grant.

The final system is in line with AS/NZS 2312.1:2014 Category C5-M which applies to a very high marine corrosivity environment.

Building a tough barrier with Duremax GFX

Duremax GFX is an ideal choice for protecting new steelwork in coastal and offshore structures, both above and below the waterline.

Its defining feature is the superior glass flake reinforced pigmentation. Microscopic glass flakes in the product build a continuous layer of overlapping glass plates in the coating film. 

The result is known as a ‘torturous path’ for corrosive elements – meaning it’s extremely difficult for them to penetrate the coating.

Duremax GFX is currently protecting assets around Australia, including:

•    Port Hedland Steel Piles
•    STL Lucinda Wharf
•    QMAG Kunwarara Mine Site
•    Darwin’s Cullen Bay Waterfront

Weathermax HBR provides the perfect pairing

One of the challenges of using an epoxy-based intermediate coating is the potential for it to surface chalk on exposure to UV light. Public assets like a playground, which require aesthetic appeal, can be protected against chalking with a high gloss and UV protective topcoat.

Weathermax HBR offered a perfect pair for the intense protection of Duremax GFX. This highly durable and low maintenance coating is available in 5,000+ colours, enhancing the aesthetic beauty of any kind of asset.

An added bonus of using a polyurethane coating is the graffiti resistance. As Grant explains, “All our high gloss polyurethanes offer anti-graffiti properties. Graffiti will still happen, but it can be cleaned off more easily.” 

Years of protection, years of play

With kids expected to use the new play tower all-year-round, keeping a low maintenance schedule was key. It means families are free to enjoy the Peninsula Playground with minimum disruptions.

According to Grant, "This system was designed to give great protection for a long period of time."

Tap into our expertise

From seaside playgrounds to wharfs, lighthouses and mines – Dulux Protective Coatings understand how diverse high corrosivity environments can be.

With years of experience protecting assets around Australia, our team have the ideal products and technical knowledge to offer long-term protection for any asset. Contact our expert team for advice on your next project.

Image courtesy of Fleetwood Urban.