The PFS Applicator is used between blasting and coating, during soluble‑salt removal and QA/QC validation.
PFS Applicator, high‑impact technical workflow showing exactly where PFS Applicator + SaltX fit inside the shipyard overhaul process
Pre‑Blast Inspection
Setup
Establish the steel’s baseline condition before any surface preparation begins.
- Identify corrosion, pitting, mill scale, and remaining coatings
- Document areas requiring heavy blasting
- No SaltX or PFS used at this stage
Blasting (Abrasive or UHP)
Critical Prep
Remove rust, scale, and coatings while creating the required anchor profile.
- Perform abrasive or UHP blasting
- Expose trapped chlorides and sulfates, causing salt spikes
- SaltX/PFS not used yet — blasting must be completed first
Apply SaltX for Soluble Salt Removal
Core Value
SaltX chemically dissolves and lifts soluble salts from freshly blasted steel.
- Apply SaltX across hulls, tanks, voids, and structural steel
- Dissolves chlorides, sulfates, nitrates
- Reduces salt levels to <3–5 mg/m²
- Prevents coating failures, blistering, and rust back
Use PFS Applicator for Uniform Coverage
Precision
PFS ensures SaltX is applied uniformly across all geometries and operators.
- Eliminates operator variability
- Prevents patchy or uneven treatment
- Ensures consistent ISO 8502‑6/9 test results across the entire surface
Rinse and Dry
Remove dissolved salts and prepare the steel for QA/QC validation.
- Rinse treated surfaces thoroughly
- Allow complete drying before testing
- Ensures accurate conductivity readings
QA/QC Salt Testing (ISO 8502‑6/9)
Verify that soluble salt levels meet coating manufacturer and ISO requirements.
- Apply Bresle patches
- Measure conductivity
- Confirm stable, repeatable salt levels due to SaltX + PFS
Coating Application
Apply primer, intermediate, and topcoat once salt levels are validated.
- Primer bonds correctly due to low salt levels
- Apply intermediate and topcoat per specification
- Reduced risk of blistering, delamination, or premature failure
Final Inspection & Release
Confirm coating integrity and return the vessel to service.
- Check DFT, adhesion, and visual finish
- Validate no rust back or osmotic blistering
- Vessel cleared for operation
Why This Matters
SaltX + PFS sit exactly between blasting and coating, solving the most expensive failure point in shipyards:
- Salt spikes after blasting
- Failed ISO 8502‑6/9 readings
- Coating failures and blistering
- Rework, schedule slips, extended dry‑dock time
SaltX removes the salts. PFS makes the removal uniform and repeatable.