Quick first pass
Application to coating-family selection reference
Use this page when the buyer does not know resin names or standards yet. Pick the closest asset or use case, see the likely coating family, then continue to the relevant Qilu solution page for qualification.
What this does
Gives a direct first direction, such as alkyd, epoxy, zinc-rich, PU, fluorocarbon, floor, wall, waterborne, or specialty review.
What this avoids
It does not force the buyer to answer every surface-prep, exposure, document, and cooperation question before they know where to start.
Review boundary
Immersion, tank lining, chemicals, fire, ESD, hygiene, potable-water contact, and high-temperature service stay qualification-gated.
Start from the approximate coating family
These are not final specifications. They are the first internal links a visitor can use before opening a deeper solution page.
Light-duty steel and budget repainting
Alkyd or acrylic primer/topcoat
Useful for indoor steel, general maintenance, simple repainting, and cost-led work.
Industrial atmospheric corrosion
Epoxy, zinc-rich primer, epoxy MIO, polyurethane topcoat
The common starting point for structural steel, tanks, pipe racks, bridges, and outdoor equipment.
Longer exterior appearance
Polyurethane or fluorocarbon topcoat over a compatible primer system
Use when color retention, gloss, UV resistance, or owner-facing appearance matters.
Floors and concrete
Epoxy floor, self-leveling, waterborne, or polyurethane floor system
Start here for warehouses, workshops, parking garages, cleanable floors, and indoor VOC limits.
Building envelope
Exterior wall, interior wall, putty/base, textured, waterproof, or reflective roof coating
Keep architectural channels separate from industrial anti-corrosion inquiries.
Special exposure
ReviewHigh-temperature, chemical, immersion, fire, ESD, or hygiene review
Do not auto-specify these cases. Collect details and route to technical qualification first.
Marine coatings
ReviewShip hull, deck, ballast tank, vessel maintenance, and marine repair systems
Coming soon as a separate qualification-led family rather than being mixed into general structural steel.
Powder coatings
ReviewFactory powder coating for metal parts, appliances, furniture, fixtures, and OEM programs
Coming soon as a separate factory-finish route because application equipment and supply model are different from liquid coatings.
Application selection table
55 quick references mapped to Qilu solution pages and product categories.
7 references
Fabricated Metal & Equipment
Factory-applied coatings, repeat manufacturing, machinery repainting, cabinets, trailers, and general metal goods.
| Application / asset | First coating direction | Use this when | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction machinery, agricultural equipment, and general machinery factory finish | Epoxy primer or acrylic primer plus polyurethane or acrylic topcoat | Use as a balanced first direction when the buyer needs repeatable factory coating, color control, and normal outdoor durability. | Solution page |
| Cost-efficient repainting of machinery, steel doors, frames, and general metal parts | Alkyd anti-rust primer plus alkyd enamel or ready-mixed topcoat | Use when budget, simple application, and familiar maintenance painting matter more than severe corrosion resistance. | Solution page |
| Fast production line coating for metal goods and fabricated parts | Quick-drying acrylic or alkyd systems; amino baking systems when oven curing is available | Use when handling time, line speed, and same-day movement are more important than maximum service life. | Solution page |
| Outdoor equipment requiring longer gloss and color retention | Epoxy primer or intermediate coat plus polyurethane topcoat | Use when the asset is stored or operated outdoors and appearance still matters after weathering. | Solution page |
| Equipment shipped to coastal, humid, or aggressive outdoor locations | Epoxy zinc-rich primer plus epoxy MIO intermediate plus polyurethane or fluorocarbon topcoat | Use when salt, humidity, and longer maintenance intervals are part of the buying decision. | Solution page |
| Metal furniture, electrical cabinets, enclosures, and small fabricated goods | Alkyd, acrylic, polyurethane, or baking finish depending on line setup and appearance target | Use when the conversation starts from color, gloss, handling, packaging, and repeated SKUs. | Solution page |
| Trailers, truck bodies, steel vehicle parts, and transport frames | Epoxy or zinc-rich primer plus acrylic or polyurethane topcoat | Use when impact, UV exposure, repaintability, and large-area production are all relevant. | Solution page |
13 references
Structural Steel & Infrastructure
Steel buildings, bridges, pipe racks, transmission assets, ports, and exposed infrastructure steel.
| Application / asset | First coating direction | Use this when | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor structural steel in low-corrosion service | Alkyd primer/topcoat for economy, or epoxy primer plus epoxy topcoat for higher durability | Use as a quick first split between low-cost indoor work and more durable industrial indoor steel. | Solution page |
| Outdoor steel workshops, exposed steel buildings, and general pipe racks | Epoxy zinc-rich or epoxy primer plus epoxy MIO intermediate plus polyurethane topcoat | Use as the default industrial anti-corrosion direction for atmospheric steel exposure. | Solution page |
| Bridge steel box girders, bridge attachments, guardrails, and exposed bridge steel | Epoxy zinc-rich or inorganic zinc primer plus epoxy sealer/MIO intermediate plus polyurethane or fluorocarbon topcoat | Use when bridge owners need a multi-layer system and documentation before pricing. | Solution page |
| Municipal viaduct steel and bridge-adjacent steel in atmospheric exposure | Solvent-based or waterborne zinc/epoxy primer plus epoxy MIO intermediate plus polyurethane or fluorocarbon finish | Use when the buyer asks for bridge or viaduct protection but has not yet decided solvent-based versus waterborne documents. | Solution page |
| Sealed bridge-box interiors and enclosed steel cavities | High-build epoxy, with zinc-rich primer considered when specified | Use when the surface is enclosed and the main need is barrier protection rather than decorative weathering. | Solution page |
| Bridge deck steel primer or anti-slip friction surface Qualification first | Inorganic zinc or epoxy zinc-rich primer after specification review | Use for bridge deck primers, bolted friction surfaces, or other areas where coefficient/friction requirements may be specified. | Solution page |
| Bridge splash zone, wet/dry alternating zone, or underwater-adjacent steel Qualification first | Epoxy glass flake or high-build epoxy immersion-grade route after service review | Use when ordinary atmospheric steel systems are not enough because water exposure may dominate the failure mode. | Solution page |
| Architectural or building steel requiring both fire protection and anti-corrosion coating Qualification first | Compatible anti-corrosion primer plus intumescent or non-intumescent fireproof coating plus approved finish where required | Use when fire rating, primer compatibility, overcoat window, and local inspection documents matter. | Solution page |
| Port machinery, harbor structures, and non-sealed heavy steel boxes | Epoxy zinc-rich primer plus high-build epoxy or epoxy MIO plus polyurethane topcoat | Use for heavy steel near marine humidity, handling damage, and maintenance access constraints. | Solution page |
| Port crane cab, machinery room exterior, and operator-facing port equipment surfaces | General epoxy primer plus polyurethane topcoat after color and gloss confirmation | Use for port-equipment areas where appearance, UV exposure, and maintenance repainting are part of the request. | Solution page |
| Power transmission steel, galvanized structures, and outdoor utility steel | Compatible epoxy tie coat or zinc-rich primer plus acrylic or polyurethane topcoat | Use when substrate may include galvanized steel and exterior color retention is needed. | Solution page |
| Coastal C5 structural steel, ports, pipe bridges, and very humid outdoor structures | High-zinc primer plus epoxy MIO/high-build intermediate plus polyurethane or fluorocarbon topcoat | Use when the buyer mentions marine atmosphere, high humidity, or longer maintenance cycles. | Solution page |
| Maintenance repainting where blasting is limited or old coating remains Qualification first | Surface-tolerant epoxy or rust-tolerant primer plus polyurethane or compatible topcoat | Use when site preparation capability is the constraint and final recommendation must check the existing coating. | Solution page |
16 references
Tanks, Pipes & Utility Assets
Tank exteriors, pipe exteriors, water-treatment assets, power facilities, buried or wet-service assets, and utility maintenance.
| Application / asset | First coating direction | Use this when | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage tank exterior in normal atmospheric service | Epoxy zinc-rich primer plus epoxy MIO intermediate plus polyurethane topcoat | Use for tank shells, roofs, and exposed exterior steel where weathering and corrosion both matter. | Solution page |
| Petrochemical outdoor steel, pipe racks, and above-ground ground pipelines without insulation | Epoxy zinc-rich primer plus epoxy MIO intermediate plus polyurethane topcoat | Use as the standard first direction for refinery and petrochemical steel under atmospheric exposure. | Solution page |
| Low-alloy steel in refinery, utility, or chemical-plant exterior service | General epoxy primer plus polyurethane topcoat, upgraded to zinc/epoxy/PU when corrosion class is higher | Use when the asset is not immersed or high-temperature but industrial atmospheric exposure is still expected. | Solution page |
| Above-ground pipe exterior and utility pipe racks | Epoxy primer or zinc-rich primer plus epoxy intermediate plus polyurethane topcoat | Use when the line is exterior, non-immersed, and the main issue is atmospheric corrosion. | Solution page |
| General industrial equipment and utility maintenance | Alkyd for light duty; epoxy or epoxy/PU system for tougher industrial exposure | Use when the customer has mixed assets and needs a practical maintenance coating direction first. | Solution page |
| Water-treatment facility exteriors and above-water steel or concrete | Epoxy sealer or primer plus epoxy MIO/intermediate plus polyurethane or suitable finish | Use for exterior or above-water areas; submerged or sewage-contact surfaces need review. | Solution page |
| Power plant steel, boiler house steel, coal sheds, and conveyor structures | Epoxy zinc-rich primer plus epoxy MIO/high-build intermediate plus polyurethane topcoat | Use for ordinary atmospheric steel in power facilities before checking heat or chemical exposure. | Solution page |
| Cooling tower or chimney exterior with concrete or steel protective coating needs Qualification first | Epoxy sealer or epoxy MIO system plus polyurethane, polysiloxane, or suitable weathering topcoat after substrate review | Use when moisture, condensation, concrete condition, and exterior weathering all need to be separated. | Solution page |
| Wind turbine tower interior or exterior in onshore service | High-build epoxy or epoxy zinc-rich primer plus epoxy intermediate plus polyurethane topcoat; waterborne route where specified | Use when tower sections, interior cavities, and exterior weathering need repeatable factory coating and documentation. | Solution page |
| Offshore wind tower, jacket, monopile, splash zone, or seawater immersion area Qualification first | Epoxy zinc-rich primer, high-build epoxy, epoxy glass flake, and polyurethane topcoat depending on zone | Use as a qualification route because atmospheric, splash, tidal, and immersion zones require different systems. | Solution page |
| Galvanized steel or stainless components in power and utility facilities Qualification first | Compatible epoxy tie coat or primer plus epoxy intermediate and polyurethane finish | Use when adhesion to galvanized or stainless substrate is the main risk before weathering performance. | Solution page |
| Buried pipe exterior, alternating wet/dry areas, or splash-prone utility steel Qualification first | Epoxy glass flake or high-build epoxy route after exposure review | Use as an early flag that ordinary atmospheric systems may be insufficient. | Solution page |
| Tank lining, oil/water zone, sewage tank interior, or conductive tank lining Qualification first | Phenolic epoxy, modified epoxy, conductive epoxy, or solvent-free epoxy after technical review | Use only as a qualification route; immersion, oil, sewage, and potable-water contact cannot be auto-specified. | Solution page |
| Crude-oil tank bottom plate exterior or weldable edge-primer area Qualification first | Epoxy bituminous or weldable inorganic zinc route after construction and welding sequence review | Use when the asset is a tank bottom or edge zone rather than an exposed tank shell. | Solution page |
| Spherical tank interior, oil tank roof underside, or floating cabin internal surface Qualification first | Inorganic zinc, conductive epoxy, waterborne epoxy, or oil-resistant epoxy after medium and standard review | Use only when the contained medium, vapor, conductivity requirement, and inspection standard are known. | Solution page |
| Insulated vessels or pipes, CUI risk, and high-temperature utility surfaces Qualification first | Phenolic epoxy or silicone high-temperature coating depending on temperature and insulation | Use when operating temperature is part of the inquiry; temperature range controls the direction. | Solution page |
7 references
Industrial Floors & Concrete
Warehouse floors, workshops, parking garages, cleanable floors, lower-VOC indoor work, and concrete protection.
| Application / asset | First coating direction | Use this when | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse floor with forklift or pedestrian traffic | Epoxy floor primer plus epoxy floor topcoat; concrete hardener where appropriate | Use as a simple first direction for general floor protection and dust control. | Solution page |
| Workshop floor with abrasion, impact, or heavier traffic | Epoxy mortar, epoxy intermediate, self-leveling epoxy, or wear-resistant polyurethane floor topcoat | Use when impact, turning forklifts, oils, and repair patches are likely. | Solution page |
| Parking garage floor, ramp, or vehicle traffic area | Epoxy primer plus epoxy or polyurethane wear layer, with anti-slip aggregate when required | Use when tire traffic, turning, water carry-in, and slip resistance are central. | Solution page |
| Commercial space or light-duty concrete floor | Acrylic floor paint or epoxy floor coating depending on traffic and downtime | Use for lighter floors where appearance, simple application, and maintenance are important. | Solution page |
| Food, pharmaceutical, or cleanable production floor Qualification first | Low-odor epoxy, waterborne epoxy, or polyurethane floor system after hygiene review | Use as a review route where cleanability, odor, shutdown time, and standards must be confirmed. | Solution page |
| Indoor floor project with VOC, odor, or occupied-building restrictions | Waterborne epoxy, waterborne acrylic, or lower-VOC floor system | Use when indoor application constraints matter as much as mechanical durability. | Solution page |
| Concrete protection where traffic is secondary | Epoxy sealer, concrete protective coating, or compatible architectural/mineral finish | Use for concrete surfaces that need sealing, carbonation resistance, or general protection. | Solution page |
6 references
Building Envelope & Architectural Surfaces
Exterior walls, interior walls, reflective roofs, waterproofing, concrete facades, and architectural distributor portfolios.
| Application / asset | First coating direction | Use this when | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior walls and facade repainting | Exterior wall primer plus exterior latex, mineral, elastic, or textured coating | Use when the buyer is in the architectural channel and needs weathering, color, or facade protection. | Solution page |
| Interior walls, schools, offices, and commercial interiors | Interior wall primer plus low-odor latex, mineral, or washable interior coating | Use when odor, stain resistance, scrubbability, and indoor use are the first concerns. | Solution page |
| Reflective roof, cool roof, or insulation-related coating request | Reflective roof coating, radiative cooling coating, or roof protection system after substrate check | Use when roof temperature, reflectance, waterproofing, and substrate condition must be separated. | Solution page |
| Waterproofing for roof, wall, or building envelope areas Qualification first | Waterproof coating, compatible primer, putty/base material, or exterior protective finish | Use as a qualification path because leakage source, substrate, joints, and exposure must be checked. | Solution page |
| Concrete facade or architectural concrete protection | Penetrating primer, sealer, mineral coating, or exterior protective finish | Use when the surface is concrete and the purpose is protection plus facade appearance. | Solution page |
| Architectural distributor starter portfolio | Interior wall, exterior wall, putty/base materials, textured coatings, and selected waterproof products | Use when the customer is a channel partner and wants a simple first portfolio rather than one project specification. | Solution page |
6 references
Special Exposure
High-liability or qualification-heavy situations where Qilu should collect details before naming a final system.
| Application / asset | First coating direction | Use this when | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-temperature steel, stacks, hot pipes, or equipment above normal ambient temperature Qualification first | Inorganic zinc, silicone high-temperature coating, or aluminum heat-resistant coating after temperature review | Use when operating temperature, cycling, insulation, and shutdown schedule control the coating choice. | Solution page |
| Acid, alkali, solvent, sulfur, oil, or process-chemical exposure Qualification first | Phenolic epoxy, chemical-resistant epoxy, chlorinated system, or specialty coating after chemical review | Use when the actual chemical, concentration, temperature, and splash/immersion mode must be known. | Solution page |
| Immersion, tank lining, underwater steel, sewage-contact surface, or potable-water-adjacent request Qualification first | Immersion-grade epoxy or specialty lining only after technical qualification | Use when liability is high; this page should collect details rather than auto-recommend a final system. | Solution page |
| Steel fire protection, intumescent coating, or fire-rating request Qualification first | Fireproof coating review route; anti-corrosion primer compatibility must be checked | Use when the project mentions fire rating, code compliance, dry film thickness, or inspection documents. | Solution page |
| ESD floor, conductive floor, electronics workshop, or anti-static area Qualification first | Conductive or anti-static epoxy floor system after resistance and grounding review | Use when electrical performance is specified and cannot be treated as a normal floor coating. | Solution page |
| Hygiene-sensitive room, cleanability request, low-odor area, or controlled indoor environment Qualification first | Lower-VOC waterborne, epoxy, polyurethane, or cleanable wall/floor system after use-case review | Use when cleaning chemicals, odor, downtime, certification, or occupied use makes a normal product answer risky. | Solution page |