Pulp & Paper Mill Paper Machines Painting Project
Universal Blastco coated two paper machines at a pulp mill, ensuring corrosion resistance in a tight timeline and challenging, hard-to-reach areas.
- INDUSTRY: Pulp & Paper
- LOCATION: Oklahoma
- Year: 2022-2023
Additional information available upon request for job S23-025 & S23-024 & / UB56
Paper Machine Painting Project Overview
Universal Blastco was contracted to paint two paper machines at a pulp and paper mill in an environment prone to high humidity, which poses a risk of corrosion on steel structures. Without proper surface protection, corrosion could compromise the integrity of the machines, potentially leading to significant downtime and costly repairs. The objective was to apply a protective coating to ensure the longevity and reliability of the equipment.
Scope of Work
- Surface Protection:
To ensure the non-metal parts of the paper machines were adequately protected, we covered all rollers, gauges, valves, and sensitive equipment to protect them from paint and other potential contaminants. - Surface Preparation:
- Hand tool cleaned (SSPC-SP 2) to remove loose contaminants and prepare the surface.
- Mechanically prepared using needle guns and air grinders to ensure the surfaces were roughened and free of rust. (SSPC-SP 3)
- Pressure washed and degreased to remove oils, grease, and other debris.
- Applied Protective Coatings:
- Rusted areas were fully prepped and primed with Sherwin Williams Macropoxy 646, followed by two coats of a Sherwin Williams Acrolon 218 HS.
- For areas not experiencing rust yet, hand sanding was done followed by the same topcoat system to provide a uniform protective layer.
- Execution:
The entire project was executed using ladders, scaffolding, lifts, and other necessary equipment to access difficult areas. The team worked efficiently, completing the task over 12 night shifts to meet the mill’s tight outage deadline.
Team and Timeline
- Our crew of 40 skilled professionals worked diligently on the first paper machine, then shifted to the second machine upon completion.
- The project was completed on time, within the twelve, overnight shifts, ensuring the mill could resume normal operation without extended downtime.
Challenges and Solutions
- Short Downtime: The customer had a hard time finding a contractor capable of completing this level of work within the limited downtime window. Universal Blastco’s ability to mobilize quickly, manage large teams, and execute with high-quality results was essential to the project’s success.
- Difficult Access and Complex Structure: The steel structure of the paper machines presented numerous hard-to-reach areas, making the project challenging. Despite the difficulty, our team employed safe work practices and utilized ladders, scaffolding, and lifts to ensure thorough coverage without compromising safety or quality.
Conclusion
Universal Blastco is proud to have helped this mill maintain its paper machines’ structural integrity and protect them from corrosion in a demanding, humid environment. Our ability to complete this large-scale project quickly and with exceptional quality further establishes Universal Blastco as a trusted partner for the pulp and paper industry.
Why Choose Universal Blastco
Universal Blastco provides a comprehensive suite of services for pulp and paper mills, including:
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- Tile Work: Replacement, tile liner installation, and new construction of tile tanks.
- Concrete Work: Concrete restoration such as sump and trench repairs, pump pad restoration and rebuilds.
- Painting, Coatings, and Linings: Protective coatings for equipment, tank linings, concrete coatings, and more.
- Fiberglass (FRP) Solutions: Piping, drop-in liners, and customized fiberglass solutions.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL BLASTCO:
In addition to Coatings and Linings work, Universal Blastco specializes in protective coatings and linings, rubber linings, concrete restoration, FRP build and repair, flooring solutions and other industrial corrosion services. Request your quote here, email blastco@isginc.us or call us at 803-773-6388.








