Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, the specialist industrial coatings supplier that was formerly Leighs Paints, has pioneered the use of a new glass flake epoxy based paint technology in the bridges and highways industry. Originally developed to protect offshore structures from the severe marine environment in North Sea oil and gas applications, the system eliminates the requirements for ongoing maintenance to significantly reduce environmental impact, save on repair costs and extend asset life, offering up to 25 years’ protection.

The three coat preventative maintenance coating system provides excellent adhesion and anti-corrosion properties and acts as a powerful barrier against harsh weather conditions. The technology — first used to famously complete the painting of the Forth Rail Bridge in 2011 — has put glass flake epoxy based systems at the forefront of bridge painting. Sherwin-Williams’ glass flake epoxy coatings now feature of a number of other large bridge and highway projects, including 47 bridges across the M6 toll road, the Tay Rail Bridge and the Royal Albert Bridge.

Using glass flake technology to provide a thicker dry film in a single coat, the coatings system can be modified to meet the requirements of the customer in terms of cost effectiveness, application and finish. The selected paints typically consist of a higher build blast primer, an epoxy glass flake build coat and an acrylic urethane finish, as well as a stripe coat of epoxy glass flake.

Based in Bolton, UK, Leighs Paints was acquired by The Sherwin-Williams Company in July 2011. With European sales and technical support centres including sites in the UK, Germany and UAE, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings currently distributes products across 47 countries worldwide.