After 13 years roadside, the bird and worm was due for a refresh to repair minor corrosion and graffiti damage. This was also an opportunity to restore the sculpture's glossy colours to their full vibrancy.
"Like any urban art, the bird and worm is subject to graffiti from time to time, the removal of which creates patchiness in the coatings. Traffic grime and sporadic vandalism had also dulled the original coatings," explains Dulux® Protective Coatings Business Development Executive, Daniel McKeown.
Dulux Protective Coatings partnered on this project with local applicators Mattioli, experts in preservation and rehabilitation for commercial, industrial and civil infrastructure assets.
An important first step was to identify the correct colours to reinstate the artist's original choices while delivering the sculpture's famous gloss and shine.
A two part system was specified:
- Step 1: Surfaces were fully primed with Dulux® Durebild® STE. This surface tolerant epoxy coat is suitable for a wide range of substrates.
- Step 2: A topcoat of Dulux® Weathermax® HBR was applied in specifically Black and True Yellow - colours formulated to match the original specifications from the architect. Weathermax HBR is a high build recoatable polyurethane coating that offers excellent gloss and colour retention.
Unique application challenges
A sculpture of this size would typically be recoated by spray application, however due to the close proximity of the tollway, the risk to both the quality of the work and the fast-passing traffic meant a brush and roller approach was required.
For the application team at Mattioli, one of the key advantages of Weathermax HBR was this suitability for brush and roller application.
"The Durebild STE plus Weathermax HBR coating system was ideal as it suited the application restrictions and provided great colour coverage," said Site Foreman, Barry Dever.
Daniel agrees: "The ability for Weathermax HBR to achieve opacity in one coat via brush and roller application was pivotal to the success of this project," he said.
The bird and worm was one of a number of EastLink sculptures to be renovated and refreshed.
"The result is outstanding. Public Art Strategy is a significant landmark in Melbourne’s east, which Dulux Protective Coatings has helped to make vibrant once again, and as good as new," said ConnectEast EastLink corporate affairs manager, Doug Spencer-Roy.
Long-term performance was also a key factor on this project, which has delivered a striking refresh that will hold true for at least another 15 years.
Image courtesy of EastLink.
