Painting Factory & Metal Deck Ceilings

Structural steel joists and metal deck is the most commonly used construction method for large industrial buildings, but different industries have a wide range of requirements when it comes to painting metal deck ceilings. For this reason, it is important for the industrial painting contractor to know the proper preparation methods and materials that can be used in industrial ceiling painting.

At Industry Painting Ltd., we have the extensive knowledge and experience that comes from training under experts and having painted millions of square feet of factory ceilings & steel roof painting projects in various manufacturing facilities, food plants, automotive factories, industrial units, big box stores, retail outlets, restaurants, etc.

Paint failure on a factory ceiling can adversely affect manufacturing processes, and in the Food Industry, can lead to problems with the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) or even plant closure while problems are being fixed. In other industries such as Automotive, paint failure can cause major problems when plants are audited by their customers. Unfortunately, fixing an industrial ceiling painting problem later can be several times more costly that the initial paint job if that paint has to be removed due to adhesion failure.

Some Things To Know About Painting Metal Deck And Factory Ceilings:

• It is important to know the differences in the types of metal deck material normally used for ceilings. For example, a Z-275 material has a heavier zinc content than the more usual Z-075 and provides better rust protection. However, incorrect paint application can cause catastrophic failure that may not show up for several years (and long past any warranty that may have been given by the painting contractor) because of a chemical reaction that occurs over time between the zinc and paint.
• Coating requirements can vary dramatically depending on the type of industry occupying the building. Dryfall may be adequate for most applications, but will not provide proper protection in plants that are exposed to high humidity or chemicals used in their manufacturing processes.
• An extensive knowledge of surface preparation methods and paint coatings is vital to ensure successful painting of any metal deck ceiling. While sandblasting or specialized cleaning is sometimes necessary, these can be cost prohibitive and/or impractical in an operating plant. There is no substitute for knowing the various methods of preparation and the practical knowledge of coatings that can be applied in less-than-ideal conditions – we even have specialty coatings that can be used in conditions that would normally be considered impossible for painting.
• A white ceiling can yellow prematurely because of environmental factors or by an industrial painting contractor using a cheaper paint material. We want our customers to be completely satisfied with the job long after it has been done – that is why we don’t default to the cheapest material but select and use better coatings that maintain their gloss and colour (or stay white) over time.
• Painting a factory ceiling can best be described as “a controlled mess”, as it generally creates a large amount of dust, both from existing dirt on the ceiling and by the painting process itself. It takes a well-trained team of painting professionals to thoroughly protect sprinkler heads, equipment, machines, product, and other items. For these reasons, steel roof painting is usually done during a plant shutdown or on weekends. But done right, you can go right back into your production in a bright new facility without any lost time.