Located in the high Sonoran Desert, the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale is no stranger to sun-drenched days in the triple digits, which is why the project’s architect specified an exterior protective coating system from Tnemec that can take the heat. “The architect was familiar with Tnemec and its reputation and knew what was needed on the project,” recalled Tnemec coating consultant Teri Hand. “Prior to that time a Tnemec coating consultant in California was doing a lot of work with Series 156 Enviro-Crete in the Hollywood area, and his experience helped us with the Four Seasons Resort project.”
The exterior of the 210 guestroom resort required two coats of Series 156 Enviro-Crete, a modified waterborne acrylate coating for concrete and masonry, which can fill in and bridge minor hairline cracks when applied properly and provides excellent protection against ultraviolet light. The stucco surface was prepared in accordance with SSPC-SP13/NACE No. 6 Surface Preparation of Concrete, which requires that the substrate to be treated is sound, dry and free of contaminants which can affect the penetration of the coating. “The stucco surface was prepared utilizing high pressure water to establish a clean, dry and sound substrate for proper adhesion,” according to Hand.
The field applicator spray-applied the two coats of Enviro-Crete at 7.0 mils dry film thickness (DFT) per coat. “We ended up doing most of the work in the evening and early morning when the temperatures were cooler,” Hand noted. “Enviro-Crete bonded to the substrate and worked very well once proper painting techniques were developed by the applicators for this unforgiving desert environment. Using a cross-hatch spray pattern, and keeping a wet edge during application, provided the aesthetically pleasing finish the owner and architect were expecting.”
With support from Tnemec’s technical service department, Hand and the architect worked closely with contractors and applicators throughout the project, which was completed in 2001. “It was a challenging project, but that was why this coating was important and the architect knew it,” Hand added. “Today, the project still looks beautiful. It’s holding up wonderfully and the resort has even specified the same coating system be used on a new addition.”
The Four Seasons Vacation Club, representing an additional 130 units, operates as a natural extension of the resort’s hacienda and 25 casitas buildings.