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Pipe & tank coating

Pipe, tanks and process steel, protected where it rusts.

Above-ground pipe, pipe supports, flanges, tank exteriors and culverts corrode where moisture and chemicals sit. Spray-applied systems give applicators a way into oil and gas, water and industrial work.

Rusted flange and bolts on an industrial pipe

The work

Pipe rusts in predictable places

Where pipe sits on supports, water collects and crevice corrosion starts. Flanges and bolts trap moisture. Tank bottoms and chimes stay wet. Insulated lines hide corrosion until it leaks. Owners know exactly where their problems are; they need someone who can fix them.

Spray-applied polyurea and hybrid systems build a tough, seamless film quickly, which makes them practical for field repairs, supports, tank exteriors and containment around them.

What owners check

What pipe and tank owners care about

Holiday-free film

Pinholes become rust spots. Spark testing (NACE SP0188 / ASTM D5162) is common on this work.

Service temperature

The system has to be rated for the line’s operating temperature.

Impact resistance

Coatings take hits during handling, maintenance and backfill.

Fast return to service

Short outages matter when product has to keep moving.

Buried and submerged steel is a system

Coatings on buried or submerged pipe usually work alongside cathodic protection, and owners specify both. Make sure the coating you spray is compatible with the CP design and the operating conditions before you bid.

How it’s done

A pipe support or tank job, start to finish

  1. 01

    Isolate & assess

    Lock out, confirm the scope and service conditions, and check the existing coating.

    Field note: Site safety orientation comes first on most oil, gas and utility work.

  2. 02

    Prepare

    Abrasive blast to the specified cleanliness and profile; test and remove soluble salts.

    Field note: Lift or shim pipe off supports to reach the crevice.

  3. 03

    Prime & detail

    Prime as the system requires and detail welds, flanges and bolt heads.

    Field note: Bolt threads and nuts need special attention.

  4. 04

    Spray

    Apply to specified thickness in crossing passes.

    Field note: Record conditions and batch numbers as you go.

  5. 05

    Test & document

    Measure thickness, holiday-test, repair and document.

    Field note: Your test records are part of the deliverable.

FAQ

Pipe & tank questions

Do oil and gas companies hire small applicators?

Many do, especially for maintenance work, but expect contractor prequalification: insurance, safety programs and often registration on platforms such as ISNetworld or Avetta. Plan for that paperwork early.

Is spraying polyurea safe?

It is safe when done properly. Spray-applied polyureas and polyurethanes contain isocyanates, so applicators use supplied-air respiratory protection, skin and eye protection, and ventilation or containment suited to the job. Safety is a core part of training, not an add-on.

Can you spray polyurea over rust?

Not over loose rust, scale, oil or salt. A spray coating is a barrier, and it is only as good as its bond to the steel. Abrasive blasting to the profile the system calls for is the standard; where blasting isn’t practical, thorough power-tool cleaning with the right primer can work on some jobs. Spraying over rust traps the problem underneath.

Get started

Get into pipe & tank work

Tell us a little about you and what you want to protect. We’ll follow up with equipment options, training details and pricing, or connect you with a trained applicator if you need something coated.

  • Takes about two minutes
  • A real person follows up, not an autoresponder
  • Equipment, training, materials and financing in one conversation

Backed by ArmorThane. Polyurea and polyurethane coatings manufacturer since 1989, Springfield, Missouri.

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