During renovation of the Grand Victoria Casino (GVC) riverboat in Elgin, Illinois, owners hit the jackpot after the coating systems for exterior metalwork and decking were shuffled to accommodate long-lasting polyurethane and fluoropolymer technology from Tnemec.
“After 20 years in service, the riverboat was in need of a makeover,” explained Erik Otten, coating consultant with Taylor Coating Sales. “The exterior painted decking and metalwork required yearly maintenance and the owners desired a longer-lasting coating system.”
A thick buildup of old paint and the location of the casino over a waterway presented challenges for Otten and the coating contractor when it came to surface preparation and their coating selection. The owners also required the casino to remain fully functional throughout the recoating project. General surface preparation consisted of power washing and SSPC-SP 2 Hand Tool Cleaning to remove loose rust, scale and deteriorated coatings and obtain a sound rusted surface. Some deck surfaces were prepared in accordance with SSPC-SP 6/NACE No. 3 Commercial Blast Cleaning.
“Special care had to be taken to avoid getting paint in the waterway,” Otten recalled. “Field testing determined that the buildup of old coatings was too thick to use traditional solvent-based tie coats. We had to come up with a coating system that would be compatible and offer less stress with the existing coatings, while allowing us to use polyurethane and fluoropolymer finish coats.”
Several test patches were prepared using Series 118 Uni-Bond Mastic, a single component, mastic waterborne acrylic coating for use on minimally prepared painted steel. The coating was spray-applied as a full intermediate tie coat on metal surfaces.
High-visibility areas received a topcoat of Series 1070V Fluoronar, a low volatile organic compound (VOC) fluoropolymer coating that offers outstanding color and gloss retention. Low-visibility areas received a finish coat of Series 1074 Endura-Shield II, an aliphatic acrylic polyurethane coating that is highly resistant to abrasion, wet conditions and exterior weathering.
Decks received two coats of Series N69 Hi-Build Epoxoline II, an advanced generation epoxy with excellent resistance to abrasion, and a topcoat of Series 290 CRU, an extremely hard urethane coating infused with Series 211 Glass Beads for enhanced slip resistance.
Located on the Fox River, GVC offers more than 1,100 slot machines, live entertainment, and a selection of gaming and dining options. In 2013, GVC completed a $4 million renovation of its gaming area in preparation for its 20th anniversary celebration in 2014.