Saudi Aramco is a premier global oil company with a quarter of the world’s largest oil reserves. The company was founded in 1933 by Standard Oil of California, the parent company of Chevron. Later, Chevron was joined by several other companies in forming Aramco – the Arabian American Oil Company.

When the company purchased a new aircraft, it needed to expand and renovate its existing hangar in Houston, Texas. Because of previous experience with Burns & McDonnell, the architectural firm on the project, Tnemec was asked to recommend a coating system to protect the interior and overhead decking areas in the hangar that would be open to changing environments.

The original paint was in bad shape according to Tnemec coating consultant Pat Barry. The ceiling and walls were first pressure washed, then lightly sand blasted before two coats of Series 30 Spra-Saf EN, a hydrophobic acrylic polymer, were applied at 2.0 to 4.0 mils DFT per coat on all surfaces. Series 30 is a direct-to-metal coating with very good early flash-rust resistance, as well as long-term corrosion protection and weathering properties. Formulated to resist mildew growth, Series 30 can be used over aged coatings as it doesn’t overly stress the remaining coating.

Also used on the project was Series 113 H.B. Tneme-Tufcoat, a waterborne acrylic epoxy that was applied to new CMU. Series 113 is easy to clean and provides resistance to staining, abrasion, chemicals and moisture.

Once completed, the building looked as good as the new aircraft going in it. “Everyone remains happy with the results,” Barry reports.