In Littlehampton, a civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, England, sits the Ferry Footbridge. Known fondly as “the Red Bridge,” the retractable bridge was in desperate need of repair. A FEVE fluoropolymer paint system was specified to ensure the longevity of the refurbishment and to lower life cycle costs.
Before Image via ©A&I Coatings
As part of the county’s carbon neutral by 2030 commitment, A&I Coating‘s Vitreflon system, supplied by Unova Products, was chosen to ensure carbon and future maintenance cost reductions. In addition, the bridge was in full commission during repainting, requiring a quick but long-lasting system.
©A&I Coatings
The fluoropolymer system is UV resistant, the primary cause of degradation in conventional paint systems. Additionally, it provides significant protection to the steelwork from corrosion which usually occurs over time from weather degradation. Both intense cold and warm weather can have adverse effects on coatings.
Before Image via ©A&I Coatings
A&I representatives explain, “In the case of exterior coatings, the biggest weather-related challenge is encountered in spring and summer in the form of sudden, intense, short-lived rains. Ideally, between these showers, the coatings must be applied and cured completely. Therefore, knowledge of local weather is the key to getting the best value out of any protective coating.”
©A&I Coatings
Lastly, the system provides extended durability and will maintain its color over its lifetime, with little to no significant maintenance. “Fluoropolymer technology means the red stays red and doesn’t turn pink,” further describes A&I Coatings.
A&I Coatings’ Vitreflon system is a low-VOC fluoropolymer that features Lumiflon FEVE resin. Substrates that feature FEVE resin technology are provided with longevity and durability in addition to excellent color and gloss retention, anti-corrosion and graffiti properties, and superior weatherability, essentially protecting architectural coatings from UV radiation, water, salt, and other elemental deterrents that contribute to coating degradation.
information and photography courtesy of A&I coating
