
The touch-up and repair of hot-dip galvanized steel coatings is important to maintain uniform barrier and cathodic protection as well as ensure longevity. Although the hot-dip galvanized coating is very resistant to damage, small voids or defects in the coating can occur during the galvanizing process or due to improper handling of the steel after galvanizing.
The main restriction in the specification for repairing newly galvanized material is the size of the area which is outlined in the product galvanizing specifications (A123, A153, and A767). According to those specifications, the allowable surface area for repair is no more than ½ of 1% of the accessible surface area on that article, or 36 in² (22,500 mm²) per ton of piece-weight, whichever is less. ASTM A780 Practice for Repair of Damaged and Uncoated Areas of Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings contains details how to repair the damaged coating.
Another tenet of the specification for touch-up and repair is the coating thickness of the repair area. Touch-up materials are required to meet a coating thickness of at least 2.0 mils (50.8 µm) for one application, and the final coating thickness of the repair area is dictated by the material used to do the repair, outlined below.
Zinc-rich paint is applied to a clean, dry steel surface by either a brush or spray. The paint must contain either between 65% to 69% metallic zinc by weight or greater than 92% metallic zinc by weight in the dry film. Paints containing zinc dust are classified as organic or inorganic, depending on the binder they contain. Inorganic binders are particularly suitable for paints applied in touch-up applications of undamaged hot-dip galvanized areas.
The coating thickness for the paint must be 50% more than the surrounding coating thickness, but not greater than 4.0 mils (100 µm), and measurements should be taken with either a magnetic, electromagnetic, or eddy current gauge to ensure compliance.
Spray L Colour: Aluminum / light grey
Spray D Colour: Aluminum / dark grey
Odour: Characteristic of solvent
Pressure @20°C: 5,5 bar
Relative pressure @20°C: 0,71-0,75 g/ml
Initial layer formation @22°C: 20 minutes
Powder purity Zn: > 98%
Resistance temperature: 300°C (peak of 400°C)
% Metal in dry zinc: 64%
% Zinc in dry film: 12%

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