Substation Container Coating

Project overview

A substation container at a Great Yarmouth facility required a full external coating refurbishment. Years of coastal exposure had left the metal cladding and framework corroded and unsound, so the scope was to strip the rusted areas back to bare steel and rebuild a protective coating system capable of withstanding the harsh marine environment.

The challenge

The container was situated in a live utility environment where downtime was not an option. Corrosion was widespread across panels, flashings and structural steel, and the existing coating had failed to the point that simple overcoating would not have provided a lasting repair. Access was also restricted around the unit, with uneven ground and live equipment nearby.

Site constraints

• Live substation environment with no allowance for shutdown
• Coastal exposure accelerating corrosion on external metalwork
• Restricted access around the container and adjacent equipment
• Removal of all rust and failed coating in affected areas before recoating

Our approach

Access was provided by a combination of MEWP and step ladders, allowing operatives to reach every face and roof edge safely without disturbing adjacent equipment. Surfaces were masked and protected, then coated with Tikkurila RM40 anti-corrosive primer followed by Tikkurila Temadur 50 polyurethane topcoat, applied to the manufacturer’s specified film build for long-term protection.

Preparation and delivery

All external metal surfaces were washed down using a 2900 psi pressure washer to remove loose coating, salt deposits and surface corrosion. Areas that still held rust or failed paint were prepared by hand and power tool back to sound, bare steel - only the affected areas were taken back, with sound coating left in place as a base. The substrate was inspected as work progressed to ensure no contaminated or unsound metal remained before coating began.

System

Tikkurila RM40 anti-corrosive primer was used to seal the prepared steel and provide a sound base for the topcoat. Tikkurila Temadur 50, a durable polyurethane finish, was applied as the topcoat to give UV stability, colour retention and resistance to the coastal atmosphere.

Before and after

Project gallery

Result

The container was returned to service with a uniform, fully protected coating finish. All rusted areas were taken back to bare steel and rebuilt with a two-coat protective system, and the work was completed without disruption to the substation operations. The finish was left ready to withstand continued coastal exposure.

Related services

• Industrial Coatings