Lessons Learned by Monolithic in Exterior Coatings

Vaper Drive — One of the early domes where the Airform was removed. Because the coating is in bad shape, the dome needs recoating or metal cladding – Chandler, Oklahoma.

Vaper Drive — One of the early domes where the Airform was removed. Because the coating is in bad shape, the dome needs recoating or metal cladding – Chandler, Oklahoma.

Vapor Blisters — One of the early domes where the Airform was removed. Because the coating is in bad shape, the dome needs recoating or metal cladding – Chandler, Oklahoma.

Vapor Blisters — One of the early domes where the Airform was removed. Because the coating is in bad shape, the dome needs recoating or metal cladding – Chandler, Oklahoma.

Anderson’s Grain Storage — The building on the left is ready for recoating. It cannot be let go any longer or the Airform will delaminate and come off. The building on the right was let go to the point where the Airform had to be stripped. It has been recoated, but it will never be as good as it would have been had it been coated before the Airform had disintegrated.

Anderson’s Grain Storage — The building on the left is ready for recoating. It cannot be let go any longer or the Airform will delaminate and come off. The building on the right was let go to the point where the Airform had to be stripped. It has been recoated, but it will never be as good as it would have been had it been coated before the Airform had disintegrated.

Bruco — Bruco, The Texas Italian Caterpillar in Italy, Texas (Monolithic Airform Manufacturing) was completely covered in metal cladding in 2001.

Bruco — Bruco, The Texas Italian Caterpillar in Italy, Texas (Monolithic Airform Manufacturing) was completely covered in metal cladding in 2001.

Metal Cladding — Application of metal cladding on Bruco in Italy, Texas. Metal Cladding is metal plates similar to shingles fastened to each other and the dome with mechanical fasteners. Metal cladding is especially useful for the dome built without the Airform or to cover a dome with Airform difficulties.

Metal Cladding — Application of metal cladding on Bruco in Italy, Texas. Metal Cladding is metal plates similar to shingles fastened to each other and the dome with mechanical fasteners. Metal cladding is especially useful for the dome built without the Airform or to cover a dome with Airform difficulties.

Honeysuckle Wall — The outer layer of Airform is PVC plastic. At Monolithic, we have one dome with chain-link fencing attached to the outside and honeysuckle climbing on it. In five years we have not noticed any deterioration of the vinyl. Generally, plants keep the dome cooler and protect the dome skin from harsh ultraviolet rays.

Honeysuckle Wall — The outer layer of Airform is PVC plastic. At Monolithic, we have one dome with chain-link fencing attached to the outside and honeysuckle climbing on it. In five years we have not noticed any deterioration of the vinyl. Generally, plants keep the dome cooler and protect the dome skin from harsh ultraviolet rays.

Chainshell — This dome is ready to be sprayed with shotcrete. Chainlink fence is galvanized and easily conforms to the shape of the dome.

Chainshell — This dome is ready to be sprayed with shotcrete. Chainlink fence is galvanized and easily conforms to the shape of the dome.

Applying Shotcrete — Javier and another Monolithic crew member are applying the first layer of shotcrete to the exterior of the dome. This layer will be followed with two more, much thinner, layers.

Applying Shotcrete — Javier and another Monolithic crew member are applying the first layer of shotcrete to the exterior of the dome. This layer will be followed with two more, much thinner, layers.

Bounceback Coating — Application of a beige Bouncback coating. Bounceback is a product of UCSC.

Bounceback Coating — Application of a beige Bouncback coating. Bounceback is a product of UCSC.

What A Job — UCSC spraying coating to dome exterior. Photo courtesy UCSC.

What A Job — UCSC spraying coating to dome exterior. Photo courtesy UCSC.