COAT NOTES

We've Got You Covered


by Leave a comment

Removing Organic Growth from Prepainted Metal Roofing

A rolling stone gathers no moss……but your roof sure does, in addition to any number of other growing things.  Organic growth on a prepainted metal roof is an aesthetic problem that may become a more serious problem if not addressed. This blog offers a simple approach to dealing with the problem.

A roof can look like this…

…or this

These biological growths thrive on moisture and organic debris. The more water and the more debris, the greater the chance of growth. Another critical factor is the amount of shade your roof receives. A well-shaded roof prevents the evaporation of moisture, creating excellent growing conditions.

But what is this stuff? It is usually some combination of moss, algae, and lichen. Sometimes there is dark buildup that may look like dirt, but it is more likely algae growth called gloeocapsa magma, also known as blue-green algae. A similar material in the same family is cyanobacteria. The “cyano” in this bacteria refers to its blue-green color. This growth can turn very dark in color over time. Algae is an airborne plant, so it spreads relatively easily. It thrives in humid conditions because it needs heat, moisture, and nutrients to grow. 

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

STAY COOL

Urban heat islands, cool roofing, and the impact on people

Coil coating producers in the U.S. have been supplying “cool roof” coatings for over two decades. These coatings are specifically designed to reflect the sun’s rays back into the atmosphere rather than absorbing them like many typical roofing materials. The theory goes that, by doing this, cool roofs help keep buildings cooler, lessen the reliance on air conditioning, and improve energy efficiency and overall quality of life for building inhabitants. Research backs up these claims. 

There is even evidence that cool roofs can improve quality of life for a city’s entire population. The urban heat island effect is named for the higher temperatures experienced in cities due to their concentrations of man-made surfaces such as buildings, sidewalks, and streets. It is especially vexing during the summer, and economically disadvantaged communities often bear the brunt. 

Many of us retreat inside our nice, cool homes during a brutal heat spell, but many others have no means to do so. You might think the urban heat islands are found exclusively in southern cities of the U.S., but any metropolis where buildings, parking lots, and streets have replaced grass and trees experiences this heating effect. 

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

The Heat is Coming: Be Cool with Cool Roofs

In late March, the Sun crosses the equator and begins to move into the Northern Hemisphere. (We know that the Sun is stationary and Earth is moving, but it is easier to think about it the other way around.) Temperatures rise, perennials bloom, and we’re glad that winter is over. It’s a great time of year. The heavy coats go back into the closet and everyone’s attitude brightens. But we all know those warmer spring temperatures will eventually turn downright hot in summer. Some say it’s getting even hotter due to global warming. A prepainted product is on the market that can help mitigate environmental concerns raised by increasing temperatures. It’s called cool roofing and it continues to rise in popularity.

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

What is a Coil Coating Print?

Coil-coated prints are the buzzworthy shortcuts of sophisticated metal product design. From delicate veining to enchanting shimmer, this coating technique takes color and effects to new heights and depths.

We live in a colorful world filled with pattern, texture, sheen, and shimmer; with architecture and design at the forefront of social media, television, and magazines, visual inspiration is everywhere. Innovations in coil coatings have made it possible to attain almost any aesthetic on prepainted metal. Woodgrain? No problem. Brick? It’s been done. Marble? Yep, it’s viable too! Thanks to the process of coil-coated printing, all of these designs are possible.

The Look

Coil-coated printing involves layered inking to create a distinctive pattern or design, such as stone, patina, brushed metal — the list goes on. Commonly used for wall panels, roofing, and garage doors, coil-coated prints are most famously known for their building and architectural applications, but they’re also used for appliances and specialty applications like entry doors, pool liners, and metal storage shacks. As a popular alternative to substrates such as wood, stone, and natural metals, they can achieve a combination of desired aesthetics and exceptional durability.

Continue reading →


by 1 Comment

Pine straw build-up on prepainted metal roofing

Pine trees are ubiquitous in the U.S. They are fast-growing, adaptable to many climates, and mark the Christmas season with their beauty and the smell of pine. But there is an aggressive streak that lies within!

An issue, prevalent in but not limited to the U.S. Pacific Northwest, is the accumulation of pine needles (also called “pine straw”) on prepainted metal roofing. Although metal roofing is better than asphalt shingles when it comes to shedding leaves, twigs, pine straw, and other debris, there will be occasions when build-up occurs. See an example below:

Source: Steelscape
Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

Prepainted Metal Coatings: Aesthetic and Functional Properties

Prepainted metal not only offers an impeccable finish and endless color and design options, but it also offers an abundance of functional properties. Coil coated metal can be made weatherproof, corrosion resistant, UV resistant, antibacterial, and even smog-eating. It’s more than just steel or aluminum coated with paint. It is the result of multiple layers of state-of-the-art coatings chemistry plus an application process that provides durability and unique properties not possible with traditional coating methods. The following are some of the key properties of prepainted metal:

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

My Plant Has a Paint Line. Is There a Better Solution?

Telltale Signs You Need to Consider Prepainted Metal

If you are a manufacturer who post-paints articles in-house, you may be wondering if there’s a better way to get the painting job done. If you are reading this as a member of the coil coating industry, and you will surely encounter manufacturers that are post-painting, for whom you wish to introduce the concept of prepainted metal, this article is also for you. Read on to learn why.

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

Three Reasons Why Coil Lines Are Not Just for Painting

Manufacturers have long benefitted from the speed, precision, and non-polluting aspects of using coil coating lines to make prepainted metal panels. Some manufacturers, however, utilize a coil coater’s capability beyond the painting process. Here are three ways manufacturers benefit from using coil lines as an effective first-step operation beyond prepainting.

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

Color Evaluation in the Coil Coating Industry

Quantifying the color of an object, and then measuring color difference between the object’s color and a color standard, is an important factor in assuring color consistency and acceptance. Assembling parts from various lots and production runs requires that parts have minimal—or no—color difference, so a typical observer sees nothing objectionable.

Typically, a color instrument will deliver color values represented by three color coordinates:

  • “L” value, which describes the lightness or darkness of a sample
  • “a” value, which describes the redness or greenness of a sample
  • “b” value, which describes the yellowness or blueness of a sample
Continue reading →