Smart Strip, a new innovative paint removal system was used to remove 15/25 coats of paint from 70,000 square feet of a concrete sea wall based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

Figure 1. Smart Strip being sprayed on the concrete sea wall. Figure 2. Workers carefully pressing paper into place in an effort to eliminate air bubbles, which would prematurely dry the stripper.

Challenge:
To strip 15 years of accumulated paint from a concrete sea wall which has been recoated at least once and sometimes twice a year. Lots of pedestrian traffic, high and constant winds off the ocean blowing, sand and other environmental sensitivities. Strong, odorous, toxic or hazardous chemicals could not be used because people were walking near or leaning and climbing over the sea wall. SMART STRIP, a new safe product was chosen for this product. Because of high, drying winds and to ensure that people wouldn’t come in contact with the product, PEEL AWAY Paper was used (an option).

Application:
SMART STRIP was sprayed about 1/16” thick and covered with the PEEL AWAY Paper and let dwell for 20 hours. Removed paper with the paste and immediately applied a second coat (same process as the first including covering with the paper). Let dwell about 2 hours and power washed clean. The contractor, High Tech Coatings, started the job on October 10th and finished the project less than 2 months later. There was no surface prep required before of after and everyone was amazed at how easy the product was applied and removed. Just as important was the safety aspect for the beachgoers and all of the other environmental considerations.

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