Prep for corrosion service — and for lead
Chicago's freeze-thaw and de-icing salt drive steady recoating of rail, bridge and old industrial steel, and it all starts at the blast: the coating only performs if the steel under it is clean to the specified grade. The complication on aging steel is lead — coatings applied before the 1980s may be lead-based, which brings OSHA lead rules (29 CFR 1926.62) and containment/disposal requirements into the job.
| Service | Prep grade | Containment |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance recoat (mild) | SSPC-SP 6 | Basic dust control |
| Corrosion / immersion service | SSPC-SP 10 | Full containment |
| Lead-based coating removal | SSPC-SP 10 + lead-safe | Rigid containment + negative air, monitored |
Testing the existing coating for lead before blasting is what decides which of these jobs you actually have — and it changes the price and schedule, not just the method.
Who we serve around Chicago
Rail and bridge steel, aging industrial and mill structures, water and wastewater assets, and equipment needing corrosion-service recoating.
What this means for your project
The blast grade sets the recoat's life, and lead status sets the whole approach. If the steel may carry old lead-based coatings, note that up front — we'll match a contractor set up for lead-safe blasting and containment.