Tnemec Series 156 EnviroCrete used to protect a historic masonry building in the center of Philadelphia
After closing its doors in 1977, the Lit Brothers Department Store in Philadelphia was a prime candidate for demolition when public pressure came to its rescue, resulting in a major renovation that included the use of a protective overcoating system from Tnemec Company. “The main focus was on protecting the concrete surface,” Tnemec coating consultant Wally Bates recalled. “The elastomeric coating system that was specified provided the aesthetics the owner required, along with protection against driving rain, alternating freeze-thaw cycles and ultraviolet light.”
Surface preparation consisted of power-washing and hand tool cleaning to remove loose paint. A full coat of Tnemec Series 151-1051 Elasto-Grip FC, a penetrating, flexible polyamine epoxy primer, was applied by brush and roller at 1.5 mils dry film thickness (DFT) over the entire building.
Two coats of Tnemec Series 156 Enviro-Crete, a premium acrylate coating that can fill and bridge minor hairline cracks in concrete and masonry substrates were brush- and roller-applied at 4.0 to 8.0 mils DFT. Enviro Crete is a durable coating for exterior masonry substrates due to its ability to withstand thermal cycling, its resistance to moisture intrusion and its breathability.
Sections of the department store constructed with a cast iron façade were prepared by power-washing and hand tool cleaning and coated with Tnemec Series 27 F.C. Typoxy, a polyamide epoxy widely used as a field tie-coat for steel fabrication. A finish coat of Tnemec Series 73 Endura-Shield, aliphatic acrylic polyurethane, provided resistance to abrasion, wet conditions, corrosive fumes and exterior weathering.
Dating back to 1907, the Lit Brothers building is a Philadelphia landmark, so aesthetics and long-lasting performance were paramount in making the coating selection. Long service life is critical for projects of this scale.
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