Choosing the right paint system for plant machinery and equipment is essential if you want to extend the life of your fleet, reduce ongoing maintenance costs, and keep your machines looking professional. 

High usage plant equipment requires coatings that do more than look good — they must stand up to the punishing conditions of daily use.

Below, we outline key considerations for selecting the right coating, based on the unique demands of plant machinery and the maintenance windows available throughout the working year.

 

What factors should be considered in selecting the right coating for plant machinery and equipment?

1. Understand the operating environment

Plant machinery in the UK is typically used outdoors year-round, often in wet, abrasive, and corrosive conditions such as construction sites, quarries, and infrastructure projects. 

These environments cause rapid surface wear and exposure to moisture, fuel, and hydraulic fluid.

What to look for:

• High durability coatings that resist impact, abrasion, and mechanical stress.
• Anti-corrosive primers that protect bare metal from rust and environmental damage.
• Chemical-resistant finishes to defend against oils, greases, and contaminants.

2. Match coatings to machinery use

Different types of plant equipment are exposed to different risks. Selecting the correct system means matching the coating’s properties to how and where the equipment is used.

Common scenarios:

• High-wear areas (e.g. buckets, arms, undercarriages): Require tough, abrasion-resistant polyurethane or epoxy finishes.

• Cab and body panels: Need a balance of corrosion resistance and gloss finish for appearance.

• Hydraulic covers, chassis, and brackets: Often benefit from high build primers and direct-to-metal (DTM) finishes to minimise downtime and improve efficiency.

3. Consider time constraints and maintenance scheduling

Plant operators and maintenance teams often work within tight timeframes, especially in between jobs or during seasonal downtimes. That makes fast drying, easy-to-apply coatings a significant advantage.

What to look for:

• Quick-curing coatings that allow for fast return to service.

• Simple systems, such as DTM finishes, that require fewer stages while still offering strong performance.

• Coatings with good overcoat windows, allowing flexibility in workshop planning.

4. Work with a specialist supplier

Partnering with a specialist coatings manufacturer ensures you’re not only choosing the right product, but also getting advice on surface preparation, application, and storage. 

At Pronto Paints, our technical team can help you identify the most suitable system based on your machinery type, condition, and intended use.

 

5. Choose the right product type

At Pronto Paints, we supply a number of products used regularly across the plant machinery and equipment sector. Here are some examples of coatings to consider:

100:006 2 Pack Epoxy Primer 

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Ideal for bare metal surfaces before applying a topcoat
• Commonly used on loader arms, buckets, and mechanical components

100:100 2 Pack Epoxy Finish

• Hard-wearing and chemical-resistant
• Great for frames and hydraulic equipment regularly exposed to oils or fuels

300:300 QD Polyurethane Gloss Finish 

• Traditional gloss finish for general-purpose applications
• Often used on older equipment or for visual refurbishments

350:000 2 Pack Polyurethane Acrylic Finish

• Fast drying with a high-gloss finish
• Ideal for cabs, panels and upper bodywork where finish and appearance matter

370:000 2 Pack Direct to Metal (DTM)

• Eliminates the need for a primer
• Perfect for plant equipment refurb where speed and simplicity are key

 

Plant machinery requires a tailored coating strategy that matches performance demands with operational realities. Whether you’re carrying out seasonal maintenance, refurbishing older assets, or prepping new fleet for long-term resilience, the right paint system makes a real difference.

From anti-corrosion protection to high-gloss finishes, selecting the correct coating helps keep your equipment protected, presentable, and ready to perform in any environment.

For further advice or to speak with a member of our technical team, get in touch here.

 

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Pronto Paints have been working to protect plant machinery for over 35 years and have an exhaustively researched range of dedicated coatings. Click here to check out our technical specifications. 

Want to book a callback or arrange a coating trial with one of our in-house experts? Drop an email to info@prontopaints.com

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