The problem of preventing structural steel from rusting in the interval between shop priming and field painting, that is while the steel is being shipped, stored, or erected, is of prime importance. If the primer fails and the steel rusts during one of these periods, as it frequently does, costly field cleaning and repriming are necessary. Obviously, this problem is of vital interest to steel fabricators and paint manufacturers alike, and is one to which both industries have devoted considerable attention. The ultimate owner of the steel is also very much involved in the protection afforded by the shop and field coats because his maintenance and repainting costs will depend on the life of the undercoats applied.
Recognizing the problem as a common one, Bethlehem Steel Company, in cooperation with The National Lead Company, undertook an investigation which involved the formulation and performance evaluation of a group of shop-coat paint...
