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Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 2:29 AM

Hi Guys

Yes the same stainless steel enclosure that I wanted to cut out a section.. now I need to paint it with white solar reflective paint.

This much I know so far
S/S has to be either etched/rubbed down/lightly sanded or given a mild acid wash to remove the finish, so the primer, an epoxy coating will stick to the S/S.
This much I know, but finding a company that will provide me with said paint is proving to be difficult, then finding a solar reflective paint to go on top again another obstacle.
The companies seem to have a problem with the heat and the conditions, max temp 65C and in the desert.

While I will absolve them of any warrantee issues for both primer and top coat, I can't find anyone that can do both coats of paint/covering or is willing to supply the primer as the top coat is not their product, and visa versa.

So does anyone know of ANY paint or coating company that can provide a primer for Stainless steel and a company that can supply solar reflective white paint?

FYI.. the enclosures are STILL in the LNG refinery and it was suggested that they could be power coated, it's a bit difficult in the middle of a refinery!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

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#1

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 3:53 AM
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#2

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 8:34 AM

Something like this? They have primers too.

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#14
In reply to #2

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 3:42 AM

I shall give them a call tonight!! Thank you

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#3

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 9:01 AM

Surely stainless steel is a quite good reflector already... prob' better than paint I'd have thought? But hey whadda I know, I is just cat innit?
Del

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#9
In reply to #3

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 10:33 PM

Agreed, polished SS is probably a better solar reflector than any paint.

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#11
In reply to #3

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 3:36 AM

Yes Del

You would think that S/S is a good reflector, but its not, hence the need to paint it!

All to do with thermal gain and the fact that steel will absorb heat, so a paint job it is!
I've painted stuff before that was expose to direct sunlight and its worked great

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#17
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 5:09 AM

Ta' I geddit now! If I learn one new thing every day I'll still be daft when I shuffle off
Del

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#18
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 9:30 AM

various metal reflectivity spectra -this is the link to the chart

It appears that copper overlay might be of some use.

I am unsure about the pedigree of this spectrum, but it would seem to indicate that near-infrared and visible wavelengths are not reflected well at all by this material, which turns out to be double layer stainless steel AlN cermet. I would say, this material would indeed appear a very dark gray.

NASA data

I presume you may already have this, but the method and the data are spot on.

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#26
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 12:48 PM

Passivate it first.OR.. Chrome it , for reflectivity..Electro polish is often used, also

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#27
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 1:16 PM

Ooh, Chrome is really good for reflecting sunlight away.

Although, the mirror-like finish an an outside enclosure might cause secondary issues, such as creating a 'blinding corridor' between the enclosure and the wall it's reflecting the light to.

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#29
In reply to #26

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 2:05 PM

Unfortunately he said it was in place and can't be removed or he would consider powder coating.

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#4

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 9:35 AM

This enclosure contains an AC unit and who knows what else that generates heat, and it's inside a building?

Will it eventually be outside?

I don't have an opinion about the paint, except surface prep and primer application are critical to good adhesion, especially on SS.

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#13
In reply to #4

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 3:40 AM

The A/C unit is located outside the enclosure, all the heat inside is generated by the sun, as there is no sunshade, and glass in the doors so I have a greenhouse, then there is minimal insulation.. so in a nutshell its a cluster!

The enclosure is outside exposed to direct sunlight in the middle of the desert in a LNG refinery with temps up to 65C.... can't get a more harsh environment!!

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#21
In reply to #13

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 12:14 PM

Silly question, but what is preventing you from BUILDING a sunshade for the enclosure? A corrugated tin roof and the same material for the South, East and West sides, with the North side open, should keep the direct sunlight off, and provide an easy escape route for the heat the enclosure is generating internally.

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#22
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 12:17 PM

I was thinking the same thought, but was holding off for a more senior member to pop off.

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#23
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 12:30 PM

More Senior, or more senile?

Doesn't matter, I'm never afraid to play the role of "Napoleon's Fool(1)". How else would we properly share knowledge.

Notes:

  1. According to legend, Napoleon kept a fool outside his Campaign tent when he was making his battle plans, and before an order was sent to his generals, it was first given to the fool to read. If the fool was in any way confused, then the orders were taken back inside the tent and rewritten to be more clear. Only if the fool understood the orders(2) were the they sent out to the generals(3).
  2. Perhaps this is where the phrase 'foolproof' came from, as Napoleon's orders were "fool proofed" (as in proofread).
  3. It also meant that the generals had no excuse for screwing up, "How could you misinterpret the orders? A fool could understand them! And a fool literally did! How can you be a general if you are dumber than a fool!(4)"
  4. I know a dressing-down along those lines would sound even more impressive (and demeaning to the target) in French.
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#24
In reply to #23

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 12:36 PM

Hence the origin of the English word: Flinch. I know I would.

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#31
In reply to #21

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/18/2017 1:49 AM

Good question.. simple answer.. Not allowed by the main client.

I asked and got a one word answer.. 'No!'

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#32
In reply to #31

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/18/2017 10:44 AM

At the temperature of the desert, maybe you should just paint it black, (flat black), and use it as a pretty good black-body radiator. If wrong, the next coat of paint should fix it.

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#34
In reply to #31

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

01/26/2018 8:42 AM

How big is the enclosure? Is there a possibility for someone to "accidentally" leave a sheet of plywood leaning against the south face of the enclosure, so that the majority of the enclosure is in shadow for much of the day? Let the client 'discover' that shading the box is the best solution to keeping it from absorbing sunlight and he may get his own original idea to build a sunshade for it.

Secret Ninja Negotiating technique: put your words in your opponents mouth; make him think your idea came from his mind.

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#35
In reply to #34

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

01/26/2018 9:45 AM

Why not just go ahead and attach the electrodes to the side of the opponent's noggin, and subliminally plant your idea? Perhaps a micro drone insect could be the electrode, one for each side. Of course, we do not want to give away trade craft here.

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#36
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

01/26/2018 10:26 AM

Those susceptible to the Secret Ninja Negotiation Technique are unable to recognize or understand it, even if it is spelled out in front of them.

Then again, those clever enough to understand the SNNT are also clever enough to recognize a good idea from someone else and will accept it without needing to think it was THEIR idea in the first place. (They may still try to steal credit, but that's a different issue.)

Also, since these concepts were penned by Sun Tsu, I think they might hace fallen out of copyright by now and are in the public domain.

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#37
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

01/26/2018 10:38 AM

No, the trade craft I am referring to is still just a brain fart in some weapons designer's noggin somewhere, maybe.

Yes, your Sun Tsu credited tactic surely is public domain.

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#28
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 1:37 PM

Is there any specification or requirement of the reflectance required? Or is it just, "paint it white".

Is there a requirement that the interior be painted black to absorb the heat radiated from the equipment inside the enclosure into the SS and then out through the white paint, realizing that SS has poor thermal conductivity. My guess is no.

The filler is more or less impervious to Uv so use lots of it in the coating.

I have nothing to offer in the way of a solution beyond what has already been given, but I do offer my sympathies.

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#5

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 9:40 AM

Cera-Kote? I found some of their products (but I was using mild steel), that appears to be useful, but word of caution, I have not used the product as yet, and certainly not on SS, so contact them for advice prior to ordering anything. It make work as a primer??

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#6

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 3:03 PM
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#7
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 3:57 PM

That stuff looks like it would work great for a reactor lining for steel electrolysis vessels.

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#8
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/16/2017 5:00 PM

it's popular with the racing crowd

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#15
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 3:43 AM

Gonna try these guys too! Thanks

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#30
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 5:32 PM

When I pained the custom stainless outboard brackets for my boat, i first had them passivated, then cleaned, then went to PPG Industrial Coatings. I used a 2 part epoxy metal primer then a top coat used for offshore oil derricks. PPG has the stuff on the shelf, easy to use and very tough. Not sure of the colors, but they have stores all over and the Industrial division is worldwide. Give them a holler..

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#16
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 4:04 AM

Aren't these coatings meant to keep the heat in rather than out?

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#10

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 12:46 AM

When ever I was in need of advice on a coating for an unusual application I went to the one source that never let me down… Red Spot Coatings.

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#12
In reply to #10

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 3:37 AM

can't find it in google.. do you have a tel number or web address please

Thanks

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#19
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Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 11:51 AM

http://redspot.com

They solved the problems of painting a PP structural foam dash board for use on a tractor and shielding issues for machine housings. They were pleasant to work with and efficient in getting formulations out to us at a reasonable cost.

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#20

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 12:02 PM

Here is a good site where you can download PDF files on coating or not coating stainless steel.

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#25

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

10/17/2017 12:39 PM

Could you cover the housing with a reflective decal?

BESTERY self-adhesive Reflective Chrome Mirror Silver Vinyl Wrap Sticker Decal Film Sheet 24''X60'' (copied description from Amazon. Couldn't get photo to attach)

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#33

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

01/25/2018 6:32 PM

What about wrapping it in self adhesive vinyl film? Besides cleaning the surface, no other prep necessary, easy to do, good results at low cost!

golden adhesive PET film is also available!

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#38

Re: Painting Stainless Steel

01/27/2018 12:07 AM

Hi Guys

feedback time... nothing worse that giving an answer and getting nothing back.

Well.... after all your great comments I found a painting contracting company in Oman, that directed me in the right direction of a paint supplier based in Oman, that has its head office in Wales (what are the chances eh?)

Hempel is the company. Their range of paints for S/S is really good. They advised me as to what I wanted and the quantity.

It was a two part process, paint on a mastic undercoat, then a offwhite top coat that is the reflective coat containing aluminum as the reflective agent.

I say "it was", as I have now finished the project. So fingers crossed it works when the summer hits the deserts of Oman

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