Protective Coatings on Steelwork at Height via Rope Access

Think Access applies corrosion-resistant and protective coatings to structural steelwork at height using IRATA rope access. We carry out surface preparation and coating application immediately following steel erection or as a standalone coating programme on existing structures.

Scope at a glance

New steelwork touch-in

Connection areas · Fabricator marks · Primer coat continuity · Post-erection application · Full coating system integrity

Refurbishment & overcoating

Wire brush · Grinder & needle gun prep · Corrosion removal · Primer & finish coats · Specification-matched systems

Industrial structures & QA

Bridges · Frames · Tanks & vessels · DFT verification · Calibrated gauges · Application records

What we do

New steelwork touch-in

New steelwork typically arrives on site with a primer coat, but exposed areas at connections and at fabricator marks often require touching in before the intermediate and finish coats are applied. Our teams carry out this touch-in work at height following erection, ensuring full coating system continuity before the structure is enclosed or subsequent trades move in.

Refurbishment & overcoating

For existing steelwork showing signs of coating breakdown or corrosion, we carry out surface preparation by wire brushing, grinder or needle gun to remove loose material and corrosion products, before applying appropriate primer, intermediate and finish coats. The extent of preparation and the coating system are agreed with your coating specification or engineer before works begin.

Industrial structures & specialist environments

Protective coating works on industrial structures including bridges, frames, tanks and vessels are also within our scope. We select appropriate products for the environment and exposure category, applying them to the required dry film thickness and verifying DFT with calibrated gauges at each coat stage.

Quality assurance & application records

All coating works are supported by application records including surface preparation grade, ambient conditions at time of application, product details, batch numbers and DFT measurements. These records are provided in a format suitable for inclusion in the project quality plan or asset maintenance file, giving clients a complete and auditable coating history.

Why Think Access

Protecting structural steel against corrosion is an ongoing maintenance requirement. Think Access provides the access and the coating expertise, reaching every part of the structure that needs treatment and applying to the required standard.

F.A.Q’s

Yes. We apply both corrosion-resistant and intumescent coating systems, and can coordinate both scopes in a single programme where required.

We use appropriate masking and sheeting to contain overspray, and dispose of waste materials and used containers in accordance with hazardous waste regulations.