A CHEESE processing factory in Manukau City is one of the latest food manufacturers to experience the specialist floor coating skills of Topcoat Specialist Coatings Limited.
This time the floor of choice is the Degadur seamless surface solution from Germany – a fast-curing, heavy-duty and slip-resistant resin surface that is not only incredibly durable, but also meets the stringent hygiene standards demanded by the New Zealand food processing industry.
Topcoat Specialist Coatings manager, Mark Ambridge, explains that the Degadur system is one of many flooring options provided by the company.  It demonstrates strong impact resistance and is completely solvent-free. He says a chemical bond between layers (the system comprises a primer, a body coat and a transparent top coat) creates a truly monolithic floor and is guaranteed to bond to concrete, steel, tiles and marine ply.
“The great advantage of the Degadur system is the speed of application and the option to cure at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius,” says Ambridge.  
“We can complete a floor within 24 hours because each layer dries within 40 minutes.  This means down time is kept to a minimum and it makes the product ideal for busy food processing areas, chillers, supermarkets and butcheries.” 
Another feature of the system is that the resin may be tinted to a choice of colours from the Degussa tinters or you can choose from Topcoat’s range of coloured quartz aggregates or non-slip aggregate which includes, but is not limited to, silicon carbide, alumina oxide and garnet. The Manukau cheese factory chose a striking bright blue.
“The cheese factory application is a good example of how aesthetically pleasing this product is,” says Ambridge. “It’s not only extremely hygienic, it also enhances the work environment.”

Many choices, many applications
Topcoat Specialist Coatings is the applicator company that does not favour one specific product – but rather promotes the system that is best suited to each individual environment. For example, when Sky City’s Noodle Bar was recently refurbished, Topcoat recommended the Sika 261 epoxy system. This floor coating was applied at night, again to minimise disruption and while it proved to be a challenge (owing to the intricate nature of the detailing), the outcome has been very satisfactory from the architect and client’s point of view.
Ambridge says the number and size of commercial projects the company has been involved in has been steadily increasing and many projects are based around maintenance requirements.
“Epoxy floor coatings in industrial environments are our core business and we specialise in concrete repair work,” he says.
Fletcher Steel’s rolling mill is a prime example of Topcoat’s maintenance capabilities – where much of the company’s work such as floor repairs (using fast curing epoxy mortar), line marking and painting is focused on the strict OSH requirements in this dangerous environment.
Topcoat’s skills and experience have also been employed for repairs to polished concrete at the new Sylvia Park shopping centre in South Auckland – a job that involved skilful colour matching of mortar with aggregate.
Other recently completed projects include:
•    Foodtown Whangaparoa – Nuplex Superscreed
•    Foodtown Greenlane – Degadur 112/418 topping system
•    Progressive Seafoods – Epirez polymers
•    Spiers Foods, Marton – Degadur quartz topping
•    Clendon Butchery – Degadur 112/418 coloured resin system

Unparalleled experience
Topcoat’s strong position in New Zealand’s industrial and commercial floor application market is largely due to its highly experienced staff. The company was established in 1993 by Peter Shepherd, who still heads the business today. Project Manager, Wayne Govan, has extensive industry experience and there is a staff of 10 – trained in providing epoxy coatings, concrete repair solutions, waterproofing and fireproofing.
“We’ve recently diversified into urethane injection systems which inject resin inside water and sewer pipes to stop water migration, and epoxy lining sewers to protect the integrity of the pipe,” adds Ambridge. “This is proving to be a viable option for asset infrastructure companies and City Councils wanting to extend the lifespan of their assets.”
Topcoat provides a full project management and consultancy service and prides itself on its ability to problem solve for clients. It offers a wide range of options to suit all manner of applications. Many of those options you can view in Topcoat’s purpose-built showroom, office and warehouse at 33 Stonedon Drive, East Tamaki.