Originally installed in 1941, the sign standing before the famous Santa Monica Pier has always been a recognizable symbol. Though the sign has been captured in countless photographs, immortalizing its bright, festive appearance, over the years, one thing had become quite apparent: it wasn’t what it used to be.
Dustin Kaatz of TPC Consultants, Inc. recalled the sign’s condition prior to its renovation, stating, “The colors on the historic sign were starting to fade and it was becoming an eyesore. Using historical documents and old photos, we determined the sign’s original colors, which Tnemec was able to match.”
Considering the historic sign’s popularity among tourists, it was imperative that reparations were made as soon as possible and with a coating system that could withstand the pier’s harsh environment.
Kaatz added, “The pier is a very popular tourist spot. Thousands of people visit the area every day and the city wanted the historical sign to look its best for the opening of a new downtown rail line.”
A coating system provided by Tnemec was selected for the project. After the sign was thoroughly cleaned with hand and power tools, it was coated in Tnemec’s Series L69 Hi-Build Epoxoline II, low VOC epoxy, followed by Series 1071V Fluoronar. Fluoronar, a high-solids fluoropolymer, is enriched with Lumiflon FEVE resins that ensure long-term color and gloss retention and protect high-exposure surfaces from UV radiation, water, and salt, which is an ideal coating for the sign.
“The Santa Monica pier is a very abusive environement,” Kaatz said, “Since they started using fluoropolymer coatings systems, they have been able to significantly extend the maintenance cycle on their coating projects.”
Information courtesy of Tnemec
Categories Architecture