Blog 1 — Zephyr Aviation Coatings

Zephyr Aviation Coatings and Gundersen Health System La Crosse, WI Heliport www.Zephyrcoatings.com

Recoating an Aluminum or Cement Helipad: What You Need to Know

If you own or operate a heliport, you know how important it is to maintain the surface of the landing pad. A smooth and clean surface can ensure safe and efficient operations, as well as enhance the appearance of your facility. However, over time, the surface of your helipad may become worn, faded, or damaged by weather, UV rays, chemicals, or abrasion. In that case, you may need to re-coat your heliport to restore its functionality and aesthetics.

One of the most common methods of preparing a surface for re-coating is media blasting. Media blasting is a process that uses a high-pressure stream of abrasive material to remove dirt, rust, paint, and other contaminants from a surface. Media blasting can also create a rough texture on the surface, which can improve the adhesion of the new coating.

However, media blasting is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the type and condition of the surface you are working with, you may need to choose different media types, sizes, and pressures to achieve the best results. In this blog post, we will focus on the challenges and considerations of re-coating aluminum and cement heliports using media blasting as a prepping method.

What Are the Complications of Media Blasting Aluminum and Cement?

Media blasting aluminum or cement is not a simple task. It requires careful planning, execution, and monitoring to avoid damaging the surface or compromising the quality of the new coating. Some of the complications of media blasting aluminum and cement are:

Choosing the right media type and size: The media type and size you use for media blasting can have a significant impact on the outcome of the process. You need to choose a media that is hard enough to remove the old coating and contaminants, but not too hard to damage the aluminum or cement substrate. You also need to choose a media size that is appropriate for the level of roughness you want to achieve on the surface. For example, aluminum oxide is a common media type for media blasting aluminum cement, as it is an angular, durable, and recyclable abrasive that can produce a smooth or glossy finish depending on the mesh or grit size. However, you need to be careful not to use too high a pressure or too large a media size, as this can cause excessive erosion or pitting on the aluminum cement surface.
Controlling the media flow and pressure: The media flow and pressure are also important factors to consider when media blasting aluminum and cement. You need to adjust the media flow and pressure according to the condition of the surface, the media type and size, and the desired result. Too low a media flow or pressure can result in insufficient cleaning or roughening of the surface, while too high a media flow or pressure can result in over-blasting or damaging the surface. You also need to monitor the media flow and pressure throughout the process, as they can change due to factors such as media consumption, nozzle wear, or environmental conditions. As a contractor, the last thing you want is to blast a hole through a multi-million dollar aluminum helipad.
Protecting the surrounding areas: Media blasting can generate a lot of dust, noise, and debris, which can pose health and safety risks for the workers and the environment. You need to take precautions to protect the surrounding areas from the media blasting process, such as covering or masking the areas that are not being blasted, using dust collectors or filters to capture the airborne particles, and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, gloves, and respirators.

How to Achieve the Best Results?

To achieve the best results when re-coating an aluminum or cement heliports using media blasting as a prepping method, you need to follow some best practices, such as:

Inspect the surface before and after media blasting: Before media blasting, you need to inspect the surface of the helipad for any cracks, holes, or defects that may need to be repaired or filled. After media blasting, you need to inspect the surface again for any signs of damage, such as erosion, pitting, or delamination. You also need to check the surface profile, which is the measure of the roughness or smoothness of the surface. The surface profile should match the specifications of the new coating, as this can affect the adhesion, thickness, and appearance of the coating.
Clean the surface thoroughly: After media blasting, you need to clean the surface thoroughly to remove any residual media, dust, or contaminants that may remain on the surface. You can use methods such as vacuuming, blowing, or washing to clean the surface, depending on the type of media and coating you are using.

Heliport refurbishing is not for the faint of heart.