Above The Field

Elevated Tank Projects Show Longevity, Service

The Coatings Industry Spirit Award, recognizing projects demonstrating service benefiting communities or industries, was awarded to the Oak Grove Elevated Storage Tank project in Oak Grove, Kentucky, back in 2019. Positioned at the entrance of the Fort Campbell Military Base, this 500,000- gallon legged steel tank continues to serve a close-knit community closely tied to the military presence within. When the tank required a complete interior and exterior repaint, the Oak Grove Water Department faced budget constraints, hindering their ability to construct containment facilities and carry out full abrasive-blasting of the tank’s exterior. 

In response, painting contractor Sam Estes Painting undertook a strategic approach, utilizing high-pressure water blasting augmented with a degreasing additive from Rust-Oleum to prepare the exterior surfaces. Following this, meticulous hand- and power-tool cleaning to meet SSPC-SP 2 and SP 3 standards was performed. Subsequently, after thorough surface preparation and spot-priming, two coats of an elastomeric acrylic coating were applied using airless spray techniques, achieving a total dry film thickness (DFT) of 14 mils. Further enhancing durability and aesthetics, a 3- to-5 mil layer of urethane mastic finish in a military beige hue was meticulously applied. 

To pay homage to the service and sacrifice of military personnel, the tank’s exterior was adorned with a striking design featuring an American bald eagle alongside logos representing each branch of the military. Rust-Oleum coatings, sourced through local distributor HPP Industrial Inc., played a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s success and longevity. 

As we look back from the present, this project stands as a testament to the innovative solutions and community collaboration that characterized the coatings industry in 2019.