Protecting an industrial chequer plate floor while preserving its natural finish

Application: Industrial steel chequer plate flooring
Manufacturer: RD Coatings
Coating technology: Transparent protective coating system

Project overview

Chequer plate flooring is commonly used in industrial buildings, workshops, access platforms and commercial environments.

Its raised pattern provides a distinctive industrial appearance and can contribute to traction, depending on the surface condition and use.

However, like other exposed steel surfaces, chequer plate can deteriorate when moisture and contaminants cause corrosion.

In a documented RD Coatings project, an industrial building's chequer plate floor required protection while retaining the appearance of its existing weathered metal surface.

 

The challenge

The project presented an interesting problem: how do you protect a steel floor against further deterioration without covering its existing character?

Traditional opaque coatings can conceal the appearance of the underlying metal.

For this application, retaining the weathered steel appearance was an important part of the refurbishment.

The selected system also needed to consider the wear and exposure associated with an industrial floor.

The coating solution

RD Coatings documented a transparent protective approach for the existing chequer plate.

Transparent metal coatings can help preserve the appearance of the underlying surface while providing protection against environmental exposure.

For this type of project, key considerations include:

• Compatibility with the existing metal and any remaining corrosion.

• Surface preparation and adhesion.

• Resistance to abrasion and regular traffic.

• Chemical exposure and cleaning requirements.

• Slip resistance after application.

RD Coatings offers clear metal protection products, including RD-Monoguard Clear, as well as specialist systems combining corrosion protection with additional resistance to wear.

The exact products and application specification used on this particular floor should be confirmed against the full manufacturer reference before naming them as the installed system.

The project outcome

The project demonstrates how industrial steel flooring can be protected without necessarily hiding its original appearance beneath an opaque paint finish.

For commercial interiors, workshops and industrial refurbishment projects, maintaining the appearance of existing materials can be an important design consideration.

It also highlights the need to select coatings according to how the surface will actually be used.

Why this project matters

Not every metal refurbishment project is about changing the colour of a surface.

Sometimes the aim is to retain an existing finish while improving protection against corrosion and wear.

Transparent protective coatings can be useful for suitable architectural and industrial metalwork, although floor applications require particular attention to abrasion and slip resistance.

Looking for a clear protective coating for metal?

Industrial Coatings Ltd offers specialist coatings for steel, architectural metalwork and industrial refurbishment.

Explore our metal protection range or contact our team for advice on selecting a suitable system.