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When it comes to marine vessel maintenance, cleaning and proper surface preparation are essential before applying any protective coating. All paint systems will fail prematurely unless the surface has been properly prepared to receive the coating material. If contaminants, such as oil, grease, dirt, salts and chemicals, are not removed from the surface before coating, adhesion will be compromised or osmotic blistering will occur.
Furthermore, good surface preparation roughens the surface to assist in obtaining the proper surface profile, thereby promoting better coating performance in the areas of adhesion, abrasion resistance, chemical and water resistance, as well as the long-term cosmetic appearance of the paint system.
Graco has a solution that will properly clean the surface as well as make sure you create the perfect profile. Here are five reasons why your crew will benefit from using Graco’s easy-to-use Vapor Abrasive blasting equipment onboard their vessel.
1. Small and portableThe EcoQuip 2 EQp Vapor Abrasive blaster weighs only 210 pounds dry, making it easy to move around on the deck and fit into tight spaces. In addition, this machine can handle both horizontal and vertical surfaces, allowing your crew to do surface prep anywhere on board.
2. Great results, time and time againGraco’s EQp has blast pressures up to 150 psi, making it a versatile machine that allows operators to change or create the desired profile for any surface. Vapor Abrasive technology allows your crew to not only remove the toughest coatings and rust but set the machine to a lower pressure so they can create perfect feathering for the best paint adhesion. Select any media that sinks in water and your crew will be off and running.
3. ATEX Approved Graco offers an ATEX certified machine designed for explosion-hazard environments. The ATEX directive is a European law that specifically covers equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Graco’s EcoQuip 2 machines can be grounded and only use a pneumatic controlled start – so the switch to start the blasting method is controlled by air instead of a 12-volt switch.
4. Environmental FriendlyEcoQuip 2 Vapor Abrasive blasting machines reduce dust by up to 92% less than traditional dry blasting machines, as well as use a lot less media. Blast for approximately 90 minutes before refilling the 2.0-cubic-foot pot with media on the EQp. In addition, EcoQuip 2 uses less than 1 quart per minute of water, which is far less than traditional water-based wet or slurry blasters, pressure washers and ultra-high-pressure waterjetting equipment. Less water usage means more fresh water onboard for your crew, as well as less containment needed.
5. Limited Health RisksWhile you should follow proper personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for wet and Vapor Abrasive blasting, there are advantages to using this type of surface preparation equipment over others, such as hand tools, ultra-high-pressure waterjetters and dry abrasive blasters.
To learn more about Vapor Abrasive blasting or its advantages at shipyards, visit blastjournal.com. For information on Graco’s EcoQuip 2 EQp, visit graco.com/eqp.
