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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET

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Condo manager asks if powder coat steel railings okay on the coast?

I need to replace a metal rail and steps at a condominium for approx. 400 lin feet. I have had a proposal to powder coat steel railing. Since, this is a salt water environment along the coast, I am concerned about longevity and rusting under the coating. I know it would be better to powdercoat aluminum, but I want the strength of the steel. Question is can I expect to have maintenance free result, or will the powdercoat flake off and then be more difficult to paint than just having a 'primed and painted steel rail".

Thanks for your time.

A. Parker
real estate - Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
2003

The ideal would probably be powder coated galvanized or galvannealed steel if you can find a standard product.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

In the UK they coated crash barriers for the Channel Tunnel, a very salty environment.

Substrate: Galvanized metal.
Primer: Waterbourne primer specially formulated for use under powder.

Finally coated in a top quality polyester powder.

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom
2003

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