Industrial Coatings for Machinery
Protective Industrial Coatings for Machinery & Equipment
Industrial machinery operates in demanding environments where equipment can be exposed to moisture, chemicals, abrasion, oils, cleaning processes and general wear.
A suitable industrial coating can help protect machinery and equipment from environmental exposure while providing a durable, professional finish.
New Guard Coatings supplies industrial coating solutions for machinery, equipment and metal components across the UK, with products suitable for a range of industrial applications.
The correct coating system depends on the machinery substrate, operating environment, existing surface condition and performance requirements.
Why Coat Industrial Machinery?
Machinery and equipment can represent a significant investment for manufacturers, engineering businesses, workshops and other industrial organisations.
Protective coatings can help maintain the condition of suitable machinery surfaces by providing a barrier against environmental exposure and everyday wear.
Depending on the product and application, industrial machinery coatings can provide properties such as:
- Corrosion protection
- Abrasion resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Durable adhesion
- Resistance to general industrial wear
- A durable decorative finish
- Easier maintenance
The required performance will depend on the environment in which the machinery operates.
Explore Industrial Metal Coatings →
Machinery Paint & Protective Coatings
Industrial machinery paint can be used on suitable metal equipment and components where a durable protective finish is required.
Applications can include:
- Manufacturing machinery
- Engineering equipment
- Industrial plant
- Metal equipment
- Machinery frames
- Fabricated components
- Workshop equipment
- Agricultural machinery
- Industrial tools and equipment
The coating should always be selected according to the substrate and the conditions the finished surface will experience.
Protecting Machinery from Corrosion
Metal machinery can be vulnerable to corrosion where exposed to moisture, condensation or other corrosive conditions.
Corrosion protection may involve a suitable primer and topcoat system designed for the specific substrate and environment.
Factors to consider include:
- Type of metal
- Existing corrosion
- Moisture exposure
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Chemical exposure
- Required durability
- Surface preparation
Where corrosion is already present, the substrate should be suitably prepared before applying a new coating.
Explore Anti-Corrosion Coatings →
Abrasion Resistant Machinery Coatings
Machinery can experience repeated mechanical contact and abrasion during normal operation.
Components may be exposed to:
- Moving parts
- Tools
- Materials
- Vehicles
- Heavy handling
- Cleaning equipment
- General industrial traffic
Where abrasion is a significant consideration, the selected coating should be appropriate for the expected level of mechanical wear.
Not every industrial coating provides the same level of abrasion resistance, so the manufacturer's technical information should be checked before specifying a product.
Chemical Resistant Machinery Coatings
Machinery in manufacturing, engineering and processing environments may come into contact with oils, cleaning products, chemicals or other substances.
Where chemical exposure is expected, coating selection should take the specific environment into account.
Consider:
- Type of chemical
- Concentration
- Frequency of exposure
- Duration of contact
- Temperature
- Cleaning procedures
Chemical resistance varies between coating products. Always check the relevant technical data before selecting a coating for a specific chemical environment.
Explore Chemical Resistant Coatings →
Primers for Industrial Machinery
A primer may form part of a machinery coating system where additional adhesion or corrosion protection is required.
The appropriate primer depends on:
- Machinery substrate
- Existing coating
- Surface preparation
- Environmental exposure
- Selected topcoat
- Required performance
The primer and topcoat should be compatible and suitable for the intended application.
Where the machinery is manufactured from steel or another metal, an appropriate protective primer can form the foundation of the coating system.
Surface Preparation for Machinery
Correct surface preparation is essential before coating industrial machinery.
The existing surface should be assessed for:
- Rust
- Corrosion
- Oil
- Grease
- Dirt
- Dust
- Existing coatings
- Loose paint
- Moisture
- Other contamination
Oil and grease are particularly important considerations when preparing machinery.
The surface may require cleaning and degreasing before mechanical preparation is carried out.
Depending on the condition of the substrate and selected coating system, preparation may involve:
- Cleaning
- Degreasing
- Scraping
- Wire brushing
- Mechanical abrasion
- Power-tool preparation
- Abrasive blasting
The appropriate preparation method depends on the substrate and coating specification.
Read our Surface Preparation Guide →
Coating Previously Painted Machinery
Many industrial machines have existing paint or protective coatings.
Before applying a new coating, assess whether the existing finish is:
- Sound
- Firmly adhered
- Clean
- Suitable for recoating
- Compatible with the proposed system
Loose, peeling or poorly adhered coatings should not simply be painted over.
Where compatibility is uncertain, an appropriate test area can help assess the proposed coating system before proceeding with the full application.
Choosing the Right Machinery Coating
There is no single coating suitable for every piece of industrial machinery.
Consider the following before selecting a product.
1. What is the machinery made from?
Determine whether the substrate is mild steel, another metal, previously painted metal or another suitable material.
2. Where is the machinery used?
Consider whether the equipment is:
- Indoors
- Outdoors
- In a humid environment
- Exposed to rain
- Exposed to chemicals
- Used in a manufacturing facility
- Used in an engineering environment
3. What will the coating be exposed to?
Consider:
- Moisture
- Oils
- Chemicals
- Abrasion
- Cleaning
- Heat
- General wear
4. What finish is required?
The colour, gloss level and appearance may be important where machinery is visible to staff or customers.
5. What preparation is required?
The existing surface condition should be assessed before choosing the coating system.
6. How will the coating be applied?
Check whether the selected product is suitable for brush, roller, spray or another application method.
Industrial Machinery Coating Systems
A machinery coating system may consist of multiple products.
A typical system could involve:
Surface Preparation → Primer → Topcoat
The exact system depends on the substrate, environmental conditions and performance requirements.
Where a multi-coat system is specified, all products should be compatible and applied according to the manufacturer's technical recommendations.
Consider:
- Surface preparation
- Primer
- Number of coats
- Film thickness
- Recoating interval
- Application method
- Drying
- Curing
Application & Drying
Industrial machinery coatings should be applied in accordance with the relevant technical data sheet.
Before application, check:
- Surface preparation requirements
- Mixing instructions
- Recommended application method
- Film thickness
- Temperature requirements
- Humidity requirements
- Recoat times
- Drying times
- Curing requirements
Environmental conditions can affect the performance of the finished coating.
A coating may be dry to touch before it has fully cured, so machinery should not necessarily be returned to service immediately after the coating feels dry.
Always follow the manufacturer's specified return-to-service requirements.
Common Machinery Coating Problems
Peeling or flaking
Poor surface preparation, contamination or coating incompatibility can contribute to adhesion problems.
Rust appearing beneath the coating
This may indicate inadequate corrosion removal or moisture reaching the substrate.
Poor adhesion
Oil, grease, dust, existing loose coatings or unsuitable preparation can prevent the new coating from adhering correctly.
Uneven finish
Inconsistent application, film thickness or environmental conditions can affect the appearance of the finished coating.
Premature wear
A coating system that is not suitable for the machinery's operating environment may experience excessive wear.
Machinery Coatings for Different Industries
Industrial machinery is used across a wide range of sectors.
New Guard Coatings provides coating information and solutions for applications including:
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Industrial processing
- Fabrication
- Workshops
- Infrastructure
The coating requirements will vary depending on the machinery and operating conditions.
Explore Industrial Coatings for Manufacturing →
Explore Industrial Coatings for Engineering →
Explore Industrial Coatings for Agriculture →
Frequently Asked Questions
What paint is best for industrial machinery?
The appropriate coating depends on the machinery substrate, environment and required performance. Factors such as corrosion, abrasion, chemicals and moisture should be considered.
Can you paint industrial machinery?
Suitable industrial coatings can be applied to compatible machinery substrates when the surface has been correctly prepared and the coating system is appropriate.
Do I need a primer for machinery paint?
A primer may be required depending on the substrate, existing coating and selected coating system. Always follow the manufacturer's technical recommendations.
How do you prepare machinery before painting?
Machinery should be cleaned and assessed for oil, grease, rust, existing coatings and other contamination. Depending on the substrate and coating system, mechanical or abrasive preparation may also be required.
Can you paint over existing machinery paint?
Existing paint may be retained where it is sound, suitably prepared and compatible with the new coating. Loose or failing paint should be removed.
What coating protects machinery from rust?
Suitable anti-corrosion coating systems can help protect metal machinery from environmental exposure and corrosion. The correct system depends on the substrate and operating environment.
Are industrial machinery coatings chemical resistant?
Some industrial coatings provide chemical resistance, but performance varies between products. The specific chemical exposure should be considered before selecting a coating.
Can machinery coatings be applied by spray?
Some industrial coatings are suitable for spray application, while others may be designed for brush or roller application. Always check the relevant technical data sheet.
How long does machinery paint take to dry?
Drying and curing times vary between products and environmental conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's technical data for drying, recoating and return-to-service requirements.
Protect Your Industrial Machinery
The right coating system can help protect suitable machinery and equipment from corrosion, abrasion, chemicals, moisture and general industrial wear.
Successful machinery coating starts with proper surface preparation and selecting a system suited to the substrate and operating environment.
New Guard Coatings provides industrial coating solutions and technical information for machinery, equipment and metal applications across the UK.
Explore Anti-Corrosion Coatings →
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