Energy Company Mining Operation Structural Steel and Equipment Painting

in Colorado

Services Performed

Corrosion Control, Industrial Interior Painting, Industrial Manufacturing Cleaning, Machinery Cleaning, Machinery Painting, Structural Steel Painting

Location

Colorado

Upward view inside an industrial facility showing a tall steel structure with catwalks and railings, heavy grime and rust on beams, large cylindrical equipment, and a high corrugated metal roof with hanging cables.

Client and Facility Overview

Our client, a longstanding energy company in Colorado, has been a player in the mining industry for over two decades. They operate several large mining facilities across Colorado, producing essential minerals 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet high production demands.

Requested Maintenance

The client hired Painters USA to complete a large-scale cleaning and painting project within their operating mining facility. The job involved removing over 20 years of accumulated dirt, grease, grime and oil from various surfaces and then applying a durable coating system to ensure long-term protection and functionality.

Decision Driver and Timing

Frequent inspections and the condition of the facility over time revealed a critical need for extensive cleaning and structural maintenance. In addition, the client wanted to minimize operational disruptions, which required precise planning and execution.

Scope of Work

Initial Heavy Cleaning: Applied a heavy-duty degreaser to cut through decades of dirt, grease, grime, and oil.
Pressure Washing: Used 3000-6000 PSI units to thoroughly clean all surfaces.
Surface Inspection: Conducted by our NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers)-certified coating inspector to ensure the surfaces were prepared for coating application.
Coating System Application: Applied a 3-coat system, including two coats of epoxy primer and a urethane topcoat for ultimate durability and protection.
Manpower and Coordination: Deployed 20 trained and certified painters to complete the project in limited work windows, ensuring the facility remained fully operational.

Notable Details

Given the mining facility’s 24/7 operations, our team had to work within very tight timeframes. This required meticulous planning and coordination with the client to identify optimal work windows, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations.

The initial phase of intense cleaning, using heavy-duty degreasers and high-pressure washing, was critical in preparing the surfaces. The thorough inspection by our NACE-certified inspectors further ensured that the surfaces were immaculate and ready for the coating system.

The rigorous process of applying a three-coat system, with two coats of epoxy primer topped with a protective urethane coating, provided a long-lasting shield for the structural steel and equipment. This durable coating system is designed to withstand the challenges of the harsh mining environment.

Painters USA adheres to all OSHA guidelines and the client's specific safety protocols. Our crews are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and we use safety cones and caution tape to alert the client's employees of the work in progress.

Client Satisfaction

The client was highly satisfied with the project's outcome, particularly noting the efficient scheduling and high-quality results. By completing the project on-time and on-budget, Painters USA reaffirmed its reputation for reliability and excellence in handling complex industrial projects.