Central blast cleaning increase Zinga capacity

Citation

(2003), "Central blast cleaning increase Zinga capacity", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 50 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2003.12850dab.002

Central blast cleaning increase Zinga capacity

Central blast cleaning increase Zinga capacity

Keywords: Blasting, Cleaning, Galvanizing

Banbury-based Central Blast Cleaning is expanding its Zinga coating capacity with the installation of two new dip tanks.

With long-term contracts already in place providing galvanic protection to the British standard for steel window frames, Central Blast Cleaning is an experienced applicator, which has been offering Zinga galvanic protection for the past 3 years.

Mick Gregory, Managing Director, plans to expand by moving into application areas such as balustrades, river weirs, and other steel structures that need protection from the effects of continuous weathering.

"Outdoor structures benefit particularly from the Zinga process because it cures quicker in damp conditions. Even rainfall does it no harm, in fact, quite the reverse," said Mick Gregory.

"Also, customers really benefit from a one-stop-shop approach as far as we are concerned. Everything that needs Zinga coating has to be blasted clean to start with and we are already set up as a blasting operation using a variety of media. Then, if required, we can paint portable items in our powder coating plant at Banbury."

Zinga can be brushed, rolled or sprayed (using low pressure compressed air, industrial high pressure airless gun, or a conventional spraygun), so it can be easily applied on-site as well as in-house.

The new dip tanks provide Central Blast Cleaning with an alternative on-site application method. They will be filled with a mix of Zinga and potable water, and once items have been dipped, curing will be complete after 24 h.

The company claims that Zinga provides as good a finish as hot dip galvanising, as well as providing galvanic and cathodic protection. It is a one-pack system that is portable and easy to use off-site and that does not demand increased manpower over what they have now, and it can be used to cover existing hot dip galvanising. Moreover, it can cover mild rusty surfaces, whilst new coats of Zinga applied to an existing coat blend to provide additional protective layers.

Zinga combines the galvanic characteristics of zinc coating with the barrier protection of an organic paint. With 96 percent zinc in its dry film, Zinga provides an excellent cathodic protection for steel.

The accepted salt spray test (2,000 h) has shown that in these aggressive circumstances, Zinga sacrifices itself in much the same way as hot dip galvanising. This is primarily due to its binder, which slows down rust formation by reducing the disintegration of the zinc.

When used as a spray application, Zinga is normally touch-dried within 10 min, depending on the atmospheric conditions. A second coat, where needed, can be applied 2 h later, and after 48 h a powder topcoat can be applied if needed. The finish will continue to harden with exposure to air and humidity, although this can be accelerated by spraying with tap water. For powder coating, the curing time is no more than 5 min.

A new guide to its Zinga service is available from Central Blast Cleaning. Tel: 01295 278233; E-mail: mick@centralblastcleaning.co.uk