Sherwin-Williams simplifies offshore maintenance and repair work with Repacor SW-1000

Sherwin-Williams, the leading global manufacturer of paint and coatings, has launched its latest cutting-edge maintenance and repair product. Repacor™ SW-1000 is a revolutionary 100% volume solids coating designed for safe, quick, and cost-effective maintenance or repair of steel structures. 

‘Repacor SW-1000 is the result of a three-year research project to develop a coating solution that would simplify maintenance and repair work on offshore wind steel structures.  This innovative new product has been developed with the safety of the applicator at the top of mind, as potentially dangerous high-level rope access coating applications can be made easier. Compared to the 2-3 layers needed with traditional technologies, it requires only a single layer coating, dispensed easily using a standard sealant gun, without the need for mixing,’ explained Claus Ackfeld, product manager at Sherwin-Williams. 

Traditional coating systems require multiple coats of anticorrosive coatings and durable topcoats, whereas Repacor SW-1000 has all these properties built into a single coat of 500-micron dry film thickness. Despite the single coat, it is expected to mimic the original performance of offshore wind structure coating systems, which are typically applied in paint shops under controlled conditions. 

Repacor SW-1000 also boasts a cure time that is around four hours faster than alternative aerosol systems. The unique cartridge application process means the applicator can effectively work from a backpack, so only needs to make one journey to carry out the task, and waste packaging is also minimised. 

Compliant with NORSOK M-501 – the offshore industry standard for selecting coating materials, surface preparation, application procedures and inspection for protective coatings – Repacor SW-1000 meets the highest standards in anti-corrosion protection.  Only the most effective regime can result in longer periods between maintenance and, as a result, reduce costs.

Sherwin-Williams is leading the drive towards eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints and coatings, while being mindful of the needs of the paint applicators to be able to use products with minimal complexity and time spent on the asset. Repacor SW-1000 is entirely VOC free, as well as being free of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances and 100% volume solid. 

‘Repacor SW-1000 is transforming the maintenance and repair of wind turbines,’ concluded Neil Wilds, global product director at Sherwin Williams. ‘However, although it is used predominantly offshore, it is also an excellent solution for onshore industrial environments if a simple-to-apply, high-performance, durable and cost-effective coating is required. The fact that a single coat gives the same anti-corrosion and durability performance as a two or three-coat aerosol system makes Repacor SW-1000 a genuine game changer.’