It’s no mystery that nearly all Amber Waves bins are covered in paint. The only exception is our stainless steel bins—though even those can be painted if desired. Beyond aesthetics, the primary purpose of paint is to protect the carbon steel from environmental elements. Corrosion is a major threat to steel products. Just think of the Rust Belt and the countless vehicles that meet an early end due to corrosion. Despite this challenge, the strength and versatility of steel make it an invaluable material.
As mentioned, aside from manufacturing everything out of stainless steel (which brings its own complexities), the most practical and cost-effective way to protect steel is through the use of paints, preventatives, and sealants. At Amber Waves, we use two main protective coatings—one for the exterior and one for the interior.
To protect the exterior, we apply a durable polyurethane topcoat over a specially formulated primer. For the interior, bins can be epoxy-lined. This epoxy coating not only guards against corrosion caused by the bin’s contents but also adds a layer of wear resistance. The coatings are then cured in our paint oven to ensure optimal durability, resulting in a protective envelope that can withstand years of harsh conditions.
Before any paint is applied, several critical steps ensure proper adhesion and a quality finish. After welding, residual byproducts like slag and splatter are removed by chipping and grinding. This allows the finish to bond more effectively with the steel surface. Once cleaned, the bin enters the wash bay, where every surface—inside and out—is thoroughly washed and rinsed. Specialized cleaning agents remove grease and grime that could otherwise lead to defects like fisheyes or poor adhesion. As the saying goes, 90% of a great paint job is in the preparation—and we couldn’t agree more.
Another important aspect of our process is quality control. We periodically test our paint and application methods by spraying a sample piece under the same conditions as our bins. That piece is then sent for testing, where it’s intentionally scratched and subjected to a salt spray test. This helps ensure our coatings hold up under even more extreme conditions than most bins will ever face.
The importance of high-quality paint cannot be overstated. It helps our products stand the test of time and ensures our customers receive lasting value. After all, a product is only as strong as its weakest component—and at Amber Waves, we make sure paint is never the weak link.
For more information about coatings and corrosion, check out these videos: