Sugar Coated Machineries – What Lies Beneath...

Ship's Crew and Officers who are so called wash paint guys, has one particular objective: “Make the vessel and its machineries look like brand new.” Sounds convincing? But its not entirely safe for a ship to be operated. This kind of people only knew how to clean a vessel. This is only to impress Authorities that ship is maintained properly and nothing further to inspect. They lack knowledge and confidence to put the machineries to the test for safe operation. Not all machineries “newly painted & oil free” are working well some are already in trouble.

I'm not saying not to maintain the cleanliness of the ship but insure inside out of the machinery that it is ship shape ready.

Operating this over-painted machineries have its disadvantages:

• Time consuming, difficulty of of removing, chipping out the layers of paint especially on bolt heads, nuts and screw drive heads. It also leads to misalignment.
• Paint chips easily enters the inside part of the machinery causes clogging and abrasive wear leading to faulty operation and damage.
• Overheating, thick layers of paint on heat exchangers (e.g. motor fins, air cooled plate fins) are having difficulty of removing heat in the machinery.
• During a fire, paint finish burns and produces toxic fumes.

Over painted tubes will have difficulty removing the nuts and takes more time in maintenance. Bits of paint particles could enter the system and  damage, if not properly cleaned.

Removing thick layers of paint 

So prior to painting a machinery make sure that:

• It has already been inspected and maintained.
• That dirt and oil are already wiped off and free.
• Strategically paint on areas that have no effect on machineries and maintenance operation. Especially don't paint on heat removing fins, plates. and ejection ports.
• Use thin coating of paint to cover metal expose surface to prevent rusting.
• Practice patch-up painting.
• Use the correct designation or type of paint to be use, be very aware that paint are flammable materials that very hot surfaces can make regular paint ignite.
• Use your proper personal protective equipment when painting and the area is safe, free from naked flames.
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  

  Removing thick paint on Motor's cooling fin