Three Things You Should Know About Polyurethane Coatings For Your Tank
When you are installing new storage tanks on your property, this is a perfect time to take a proactive approach to protection. Since most tanks are vulnerable to weather damage, corrosion and other wear, you may want to consider having the tank treated with a polyurethane coating before you put it into service. If you're new to the idea of polyurethane tank coatings, you may wonder what the big deal is. Here's a look at what you should know about polyurethane coatings for your tanks.
What Are Polyurethane Coatings Like?
Polyurethane coatings are known to be durable and stand up well in most any environment. They come in many different styles and compositions. These coatings can range in texture from a rubber-like consistency that's soft to the touch to a hard coating that resembles ceramic or something similar. In fact, there are mixtures with textures that fall anywhere in between, too. When you're looking to protect against corrosion and chemical damages, the harder polyurethane coatings are a good option. These coatings harden and adhere to the metal in a tight bond, which prevents moisture from seeping behind.
What Are Some Benefits of Polyurethane Coatings?
There are many reasons to consider investing in polyurethane for your tank coatings. Understanding some of the benefits of this type of protection may help you determine if it's worth the investment for you.
You can apply them in most any season. These polyurethane coatings will typically set in any temperature, so you can coat your tanks any time of year. Just make sure you plan for a dry day, because moisture on the tank will interfere with the adhesion of the coating.
They can be applied quickly. Polyurethane coatings don't usually require a primer coat before you apply them. In addition, because they set in a matter of minutes, you can usually coat the whole tank in two or three coats of the polyurethane without waiting for extensive drying time. That also means that your tanks will be ready for service within hours of the initial preparations.
You can customize the look of your tanks. Polyurethane coatings can be colored in most any shade. This means that you can easily customize the look of your tanks if you have them treated with coatings like this. If you want your tanks to be colored with your company's logo colors, custom polyurethane colors will make that easy to do. You can even have them painted to feature your company logo.
They aren't particularly susceptible to damage. Hardened polyurethane coatings aren't vulnerable to chemical damage, gouging or scratches. In addition, the material doesn't become brittle or flake over time, so you'll get long-lasting protection. It fuses well to the tank surface, so you won't likely experience any bubbling or other issues due to temperature fluctuations, either.
How Do You Care For Polyurethane Tank Coatings?
Polyurethane is easy to maintain. It isn't vulnerable to staining or deterioration, so it doesn't often require extensive scrubbing. Rinse the tank off periodically to keep the dirt and dust off it. When you do that, inspect it once a month or so for any surface damage. Since this coating is so durable, damage isn't common, but it should be identified and patched as quickly as possible if it does happen.
Now that you understand what polyurethane coatings are and what they can do for your storage tanks, you'll be able to better understand whether or not they are worth the investment for your tanks. Talk with a tank coating specialist today about your options so that you can protect your new tanks from the hazards of the environment and daily demands.