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The Red Bucket

Carboline

The Red Bucket: A Protective Coatings Podcast provides a behind-the-scenes look at the industrial coatings industry. Decision-makers and SMEs from throughout the world of coatings share their processes, practices, and passions with hosts Paul Atzemis and Toby Wall.

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  • 20 episodes
  • monthly
  • Avg 32 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • May 26 · 39 min

    28. Is it time to replace traditional tank and pipe insulation? (feat. Michael Stelmach)

    Summary For decades, standard practice for insulating storage tanks and piping has been to wrap them in mineral wool, foam, or other low-conductivity materials before sealing them in cladding. This method works well—for a few years, anyway. But guest Michael Stelmach explains how liquid-applied insulative coatings are a longer-lived solution that achieves similar thermal efficiency, personnel protection, energy savings, and process stability while eliminating CUI and other risk factors. Also, Michael pulls his hamstring and admits it is possible to have good barbecue outside of Texas. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:43 – The evolution of insulative coatings 02:58 – Understanding traditional insulation methods 05:32 – The mechanics of insulation and moisture ingress 08:49 – Challenges with traditional insulation materials 11:20 – Weather damage and safety concerns 13:39 – Construction challenges with traditional insulation 16:41 – Performance analysis and thermal conductivity 22:36 – Corrosion under insulation: challenges and solutions 26:17 – The role of topcoating 29:06 – Liquid-applied vs. traditional insulation costs 31:58 – Limitations of liquid applied insulation 34:07 – The four questions

  • April 22 · 39 min

    27. Landmark projects in Canada (Feat. Pedro Escudero)

    Summary Three mysterious binders once forgotten in a Carboline headquarters closet are opened for the first time in decades. In this episode of The Red Bucket, Toby and guest Pedro Escudero explore a small sample of their contents: four past projects involving high-profile locations across Canada. And, Pedro reveals where tourists can get the best fish dinner in the country. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – CN Tower staircase 05:52 – Point Tupper supertanker terminal 13:02 – SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre) retractable roof structural steel 18:35 – Peterborough Lift Lock 33:10 – The Four Questions

  • March 2 · 29 min

    26. The problem with using Shore D hardness for intumescent coatings (Feat. Michael Hollman)

    Summary An intumescent coating can be qualified or disqualified for use simply because it falls above or below a certain magical hardness level, usually as measured on the Shore D scale. But hardness has no influence on performance, and the Shore D scale just doesn’t make sense when assessing softer intumescent technology types. Fireproofing industry veteran Michael Hollman explains the consequences of misusing Shore D hardness in intumescent coating specifications. Also, Michael worries that his brother-in-law might soon beat him at snooker. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 03:01 - How the industry's understanding of hardness has evolved 05:55 - Durometers' importance in measuring coating hardness 07:31 - Matching different Shore scales to different coating technologies 09:39 - When standards are "cut-and-pasted" without context 13:34 - Harder is not universally better 18:15 - Elasticity, damage resistance, and impact recovery 21:12 - Viewing Shore values as a reference point, not a product differentiator 22:40 - The four questions

  • Aug 17, 2025 · 30 min

    BONUS - Regulatory affairs in Europe

    Summary Nel nuovo episodio del nostro podcast, parliamo di un tema spesso percepito come tecnico e complesso, ma in realtà sempre più strategico: il mondo del Regulatory nei rivestimenti industriali. Ne discutiamo con Alice Paiotta, Regulatory & Quality Assurance Manager Europe in Carboline, che ci guida in un viaggio tra REACH, sostenibilità, rischi normativi, competitività e innovazione. Timestamps 00:53 – Introduzione 01:16 – Presentazione dell’ospite: Alice Paiotta 02:03 – Che cos’è il regulatory in un’azienda che produce rivestimenti e prodotti antincendio 02:40 – I principali regolamenti applicabili in Europa 03:34 – Focus sul Regolamento REACH 04:21 – Le autorità competenti in Europa per il settore dei rivestimenti 05:44 – Come è evoluta la regolamentazione negli ultimi decenni 08:22 – Codice UFI: di cosa si tratta e a cosa serve 08:53 – Il futuro del regulatory secondo Alice 10:46 – L’aggiornamento delle liste di sostanze: un processo continuo 11:14 – Regolamenti europei e sostenibilità: sempre più interconnessi 13:33 – Le conseguenze della non conformità normativa (legali, economiche, reputazionali) 16:20 – Come assicurarci di non commercializzare prodotti non conformi 19:25 – Regulatory come vantaggio competitivo: quando la conformità diventa strategia 22:50 – Le principali sfide da affrontare per restare conformi 24:48 – Il percorso di Alice: dalla chimica al regulatory 28:02 – Domande extra per chiudere in leggerezza

  • Jun 25, 2025 · 23 min

    25. Renovating the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (Feat. Juan Pablo Ortega [again])

    Summary Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, is the iconic home of legendary soccer club Real Madrid. A recent five-year renovation has transformed the stadium into a modern engineering marvel. Fireproofing and corrosion protection coating systems each played a role in the mega project, and in this episode, Carboline’s Europe Director of Project Development, Juan Pablo Ortega, leads a tour of his favorite team’s new digs. Also, is it possible for another country to have larger portion sizes than America? Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:32 – Summarizing the renovation of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium 05:10 – Differing fire ratings for different uses of a structure 06:15 – Why both cementitious and intumescent fireproofing types were used 08:20 – Specifying heavy-duty Pyrocrete 40 10:52 – Nullifire SC 902 intumescent fireproofing was uniquely qualified for this project 13:34 – Primer, fireproofing, and topcoat specification for the retractable trays 16:17 – Navigating an aggressive schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic 17:20 – Juan Pablo returns to the site 18:28 – The Four Questions

  • May 9, 2025 · 39 min

    24. Fluoropolymers: The unbeatable resin technology for water tank topcoats (Feat. Jeremy Sukola and Kristen Blankenship)

    Summary Fluoropolymer-based finish coats are the premier performers for elevated water storage tanks in exterior exposures. The specialty FEVE resin on which they are based withstands intense UV radiation, high winds, and intense precipitation while holding gloss and color for decades. And while all of that comes at a cost, water industry expert Jeremy Sukola and chemistry nerd Kristen Blankenship explain how that cost represents a long-term investment that boasts a handsome return. In this episode of The Red Bucket, learn the chemistry, use cases, and regulatory considerations of fluoropolymer topcoats. Also, Kristen ponders the Atlantic Ocean from the top of a cliff, and Jeremy shares a strong opinion about spaghetti sauce. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – A brief history of fluoropolymers 04:41 – Composition and properties of fluoropolymer coatings 08:51 – The role of fluoropolymer topcoats in water tank coating systems 13:05 – Fluoropolymer finish coat performance vs. other common technologies 15:08 – Fluoropolymer finish coats are not always the best fit 17:17 – Promoting long-term visual appeal 19:36 – Application properties 21:04 – The cost of novel chemistry 24:05 – Lifecycle cost benefits of fluoropolymer products 25:52 – Human health, PFAS, and forever chemical concerns 32:02 – The regulatory landscape today 33:53 – Key takeaways 35:14 – The Four Questions

  • Apr 25, 2025 · 35 min

    23. Acrylamide leak sealing grouts (Feat. Michael Vargo)

    Summary Acrylamide grout technology dominates the underground wastewater collection leak sealing landscape. Legacy dry-granule and modern liquid variants give operators tremendous flexibility to address challenges of almost any scope or scale. But how do acrylamides work? Why do they work so well? And what do municipalities or private network owners need to know about how they fit into the broader maintenance and repair ecosystem? Michael Vargo of Prime Resins is the man with the answers. Also, Michael considers what it would be like to be 6’10”. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:24 – Defining acrylamide grouts 04:09 – Water/wastewater use cases and how the technology works 10:04 – Comparing granular vs. liquid acrylamide grouts 12:57 – How weather impacts application 14:30 – Acrylamides vs. alternative technologies 16:44 – Use cases for acrylamide grouts outside of water/wastewater 19:34 – Why Prime Resins earned NSF 61 certification for its liquid acrylamide 22:12 – Ideal water sources for granule format 23:03 – Necessity of training for preparation and use of acrylamide grouts 25:37 – Acrylamide grouts are one piece of a bigger maintenance/repair puzzle 33:00 – The four questions

  • Mar 17, 2025 · 29 min

    22. Protecting molten sulfur tank cars (Feat. Lupe Pavon and Steve Liebhart)

    Summary Sulfur, an instrumental commodity to global industry, is a highly corrosive commodity typically shipped via rail in a molten state. Shippers must take care to protect their rolling stock by applying linings that resist heat, chemicals, and impacts. In this episode, rail industry expert Lupe Pavon and tank lining expert Steve Liebhart explore service environment, cleaning/surface preparation, and protective lining principles for rail cars in molten sulfur service. They also relate interesting findings from a field inspection. And, Steve considers himself a near-perfect driver in the snow, and Lupe reveals his favorite vegetable. **Timestamps ** 00:00 – Introduction 02:11 – Corrosion mechanisms and failure modes of molten sulfur tank cars 05:36 – A highly stressful service environment for a lining 09:01 – Pitting corrosion and substrate blending for surface preparation 14:12 – Carboline’s new Plasite XHT 400 hybrid epoxy lining 18:14 – Eliminating an extra step in the surface preparation process 18:38 – We inspected Plasite XHT 400 in two cars after 30+ months in service 25:27 – The Four Questions

  • Feb 20, 2025 · 23 min

    BONUS - Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (Con Juan Pablo Ortega y Emilie Musso)

    En el episodio inaugural en Español de The Red Bucket, nuestros compañeros de Carboline España Juan Pablo Ortega y Emilie Musso hablan sobre la reciente renovación del icónico Estadio Santiago Bernabéu en Madrid, España. El alcance del proyecto incluyó la aplicación de materiales ignífugos cementosos e intumescentes, así como recubrimientos protectores de alto rendimiento. 00:58 – Introducción: Presentación de Emilie Musso y Juan Pablo Ortega. 02:24 – Renovación del estadio: Alcance del proyecto. 04:21 – Requisitos contra incendios: Normas aplicadas en estadios. 05:47  – Césped retráctil: Impacto en los revestimientos. 07:28 –  Tipos de protección: Uso de mortero y pintura intumescente. 08:55 – Pyrocrete 40: Beneficios y aplicación. 10:20 – Nullifire SC902: Dónde y por qué se usó. 13:55 – Aplicación en una sola capa: Importancia del espesor. 15:58 – Protección anticorrosión: Recubrimientos adicionales. 17:15 – Plazos exigentes: Cómo se cumplió el tiempo. 18:51 – Cierre: Reflexión final sobre el proyecto. 20:45 – Preguntas extra: Toque personal para cerrar el episodio.

  • Feb 6, 2025 · 32 min

    21. Zinc and a comparison of painting, galvanizing, and metalizing (Feat. Kristen Blankenship)

    It's taken for granted in the corrosion industry that zinc protects steel. But there's more than one way to put zinc on steel and more than one mechanism at work that makes it so protective. Kristen Blankenship returns to The Red Bucket to answer some big questions with even bigger implications: What's zinc actually doing on painted, galvanized, and metalized surfaces? How do these corrosion protection methods compare in terms of performance? Does the standard "zinc-epoxy-urethane" coating system hold zinc-rich primers back from performing as well as they could on their own? How many ISO 12944-9 testing cycles will it take before any corrosion appears on panels coated in a two-coat inorganic system? Kristen also contemplates the deathbed of a lonely scientist. 00:00 – Intro 02:13 – A very brief history of cathodic protection 04:05 – Electron chemistry explains behavior 06:15 – Summarizing galvanizing, metalizing, and painting 14:15 – Silicate resin technology is understudied 15:47 – Comparing adhesion of each method 17:09 – Engineers understand paint differently than the other methods 20:16 – Surprising results from cyclic aging testing of a two-coat inorganic system 23:43 – Why is paint held to a higher standard? 26:48 – Zinc loading and a sustainability comparison Find out more at https://carboline-tech-service-podcast.pinecast.co

  • Dec 18, 2024 · 45 min

    20. No magic paint (Feat. Eric Zimmerman and Jeremy Sukola)

    Water/wastewater operator customers are asking some strange questions lately. To experts Jeremy Sukola and Eric Zimmerman, it’s as if they’re asking for magic paint. In this episode, we identify an emerging demographic trend and the knowledge gap it’s created. Then, Jeremy and Eric explain why the best ways to close that gap are to have hard conversations early and be involved in educating the next generation. Also, Eric imagines a driving range on the Mayflower and takes a bold stance against eggnog. 0:00 – Introduction 03:08 – Strange questions from customers 05:44 – Understanding capabilities and tackling misconceptions 08:00 – A generation of seasoned professionals is retiring out 10:18 – Part of a familiar trend 12:20 – The influence of project schedule pressure 14:18 – Capabilities of coatings/linings are limited 18:34 – Economic decline brings new contractors into industry 20:04 – Manufacturers as problem solvers and honest brokers 24:11 – Breaking barriers to knowledge sharing 29:35 – Benefits of industry involvement 33:12 – Gaining credibility by saying no 37:57 – Avoid 99% of problems with early collaboration 40:00 – Four questions

  • Nov 18, 2024 · 26 min

    19. Electrostatic dissipative (ESD) vs. conductive flooring (Feat. Richie Cropp)

    Understanding electrostatic dissipative (ESD) vs. conductive floor coatings is one of the industry’s most persistently misunderstood topics. In this episode of The Red Bucket, subject matter expert Richie Cropp of Dudick discusses the purpose of these specialty products, provides use cases for each type, and explains the critical importance of seeking the knowledge of material manufacturers. Also, Richie shares his plans for Black Friday. 00:00 – Intro 02:27 – This topic is misunderstood 04:05 – How static electricity is generated 08:01 – Resistivity ranges 10:01 – Where does the electricity go? 11:48 – Coating fillers carry the current 12:48 – When to apply conductive vs. dissipative floor coatings 15:45 – The same facility might require both types 17:20 – ESD/conductive coating performance vs. general purpose toppings 19:41 – How coating manufacturers help engineers/specifiers 22:00 – Installed cost comparison 23:28 – Four questions Find out more at https://carboline-tech-service-podcast.pinecast.co

  • Oct 11, 2024 · 38 min

    18. "We don't have it quite right." Modern fire loads (Feat. Chris Burst)

    Shortly after the turn of the last century, the cellulosic fire time/temperature curve was developed to assess the performance and safety of building materials and passive fire resistive materials. It was the cutting edge for its time. But, according to Chris Burst, the composition and contents of our built environment today prove its time has run out. Also in the episode, Toby isn’t sure he’s never seen a ghost, and Chris tells a bad joke. This episode contains references to a three-part article series we recently published about modern fire loads. Read them here: Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. 00:00 – Introduction 01:07 – What we mean by "modern" 05:04 – Old, old standards 06:03 – Proliferation of rechargeable batteries 07:18 – Visualizing time/temperature curves 12:24 – These fires are harder to extinguish 15:24 – Structured parking complicates matters 20:26– Don't blame EVs 22:27– Similarities to tunnel fires 24:35– Leveraging existing alternatives 26:12– Ramifications of adopting code changes 30:53– Modern spaces require modern material safety testing 32:53– The four questions: Spooky Halloween edition Find out more at https://carboline-tech-service-podcast.pinecast.co

  • Sep 25, 2024 · 40 min

    17. Coatings as sustainability (Feat. Kristen Blankenship)

    Kristen Blankenship discusses whether coatings manufacturers can truly impact product sustainability – minus the greenwashing. Then, we learn whether she sees molecules The Queen’s Gambit style. 00:00 – Introduction 02:16 – The purpose of protective coatings 04:27 – When sustainability impacts coatings 08:00 – Addressing pollution as a chemical company 18:47 – Water-based coating claims 32:56 – Where do we go from here? 36:47 – Kristen's four questions Find out more at https://carboline-tech-service-podcast.pinecast.co

  • Aug 23, 2024 · 21 min

    16. Deconstructing Carbomastic 15 - Pt. 2 (Feat. Dan Baribault and Paul Atzemis)

    Dan Baribault and Paul Atzemis continue their exploration of the unique technology and wide range of use cases for surface-tolerant epoxy mastics like Carbomastic 15. Then, Paul likens himself to a cross between Rapunzel and Gandalf. 00:00 – Carbomastic 15 performs at high temperatures 01:43 – Summarizing recent Carbomastic 15 use cases 04:00 – Understanding curing shrinkage stress 08:16 – The good (and bad) of slow dry times 10:17 – Importance of low solvent load 12:55 – Dan’s weirdest Carbomastic 15 experience 13:58 – Advice to owners/specifiers comparing surface-tolerant epoxy mastics 15:16 – Paul’s four questions

  • Aug 1, 2024 · 22 min

    15. Deconstructing Carbomastic 15 - Pt. 1 (Feat. Dan Baribault and Paul Atzemis)

    Why do some surface-tolerant mastic epoxies work so well in so many different services? Paul Atzemis and Dan Baribault deconstruct Carbomastic 15, explaining why its resin technology and added pigmentation combine to make it one of the industry’s best performers. And, Dan imagines a walk along the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. 00:00 – Introduction 02:19 – How mastic coatings developed 04:39 – Length of carbon chains influence application characteristics 07:29 – Introduction and characteristics of aluminum pigmentation 13:39 – Galvanic protective effects 15:29 – Aluminum pigmentation effect of chalking of epoxy 17:20 – What owners/specifiers need to know 19:15 – The four questions

  • Jun 25, 2024 · 31 min

    14. "You're about to watch magic." Controlling inflow & infiltration (Feat. Jeremy Sukola and David Dingler)

    Inflow & infiltration (I&I) is a serious challenge to water and wastewater infrastructure owners, who usually don’t know they have an I&I problem until it’s too late. What is I&I? What does it cost? How do you stop it? How does controlling I&I fit into a holistic asset management and maintenance program? Jeremy Sukola and David Dingler of Prime Resins, a division of Carboline, explain. Spoiler: magic in a cup. Want to schedule a demo? Contact Prime Resins here, or Carboline here. 0:00 – Introduction 03:23 – Defining I&I 05:49 – It doesn’t only afflict aging infrastructure 08:39 – Calculating the cost of I&I 12:12 – Proactive or reactive? Some owners can only triage 13:46 – Where Prime Resins fits in 16:44 – Owners need to update master specs, and we can help 23:14 – Building up the contractor pool with demos and education 26:40 – The four questions

  • May 23, 2024 · 26 min

    13. EV facility intumescent applicator overcomes record-breaking rainfall (Feat. Jeffrey Lagendyk)

    After some time off the air, The Red Bucket returns with a narration of a complex electric vehicle (EV) facility construction project in Canada, with Jeffrey Lagendyk of Nor-Lag Coatings helping tell the story. The project included applying intumescent fireproofing under tight deadline pressure in foul weather. Paul introduces a new voice to the podcast. 00:00 – Intro 03:10 – Setting the scene in Becancour, Quebec 05:55 – Record-breaking rain 08:05 – Immediate impacts to application schedule 09:08 – Ripple effects 11:50 – Benefits of single-component application 13:08 – Qualities of Thermo-Sorb VOC 14:24 – A hybrid shop + field application approach is ideal for fast-track EV facility construction 18:19 – Ways applicators are valuable resources during pre-construction 20:25 – Did Nor-Lag finish on time? 21:59 – The four questions (non-technical) 26:11 – Closing remarks

  • Oct 17, 2023 · 40 min

    12. Soluble Salts (Feat. Ken Rossy)

    Controlling soluble salts is one of the largest challenges faced during the surface preparation portion of a coating project. Failure to remove soluble salts can drastically shorten a coating’s lifecycle. On this episode, Ken Rossy, President of HoldTight, joins us to discuss the differences between atmospheric and immersion services, the debate on allowable soluble salt limits, and how additives can help. All of this and more coming up next on The Red Bucket. 0:00 - Intro 1:36 - Introduction to Kon Rossy 3:17 - Introduction to HoldTight Solutions 6:34 - Why are Salts Detrimental to Steel? 8:38 - “Invisible” Contaminants and How to Find Them 13:18 - Cleanliness in Immersion and Atmospheric Service 19:51 - The Debate on the Amount of Allowable Soluble Salts 25:59 - Using Additives to Remove Salts and Hold Cleanliness 35:46 - "The Four Questions" [Non-Technical] 39:54 - "Tech Tips" 40:21 - Closing Remarks

  • Aug 15, 2023 · 39 min

    11. Abrasive Blasting (Feat. Pete Mitchell)

    On this episode of The Red Bucket, Pete Mitchell from GMA Garnet joins us as we explore the various factors of abrasive blasting that contribute to long-term coating performance. The industry has focused on cleanliness and profile for years, but a new study suggests that peak density could be the largest contributing factor. We talk about all of that and more coming up next on The Red Bucket. 0:00 - Intro 2:33 - Introduction to Pete Mitchell 4:39 - Introduction to GMA Garnet 6:08 - The Advantages of Garnet as an Abrasive Blast Media 9:36 - Friability 15:58 - Blast Cleanliness vs. Profile 22:40 - Density vs. Depth 28:51 - What Engineers and Specifiers Need to Know About Abrasives 35:08 - "The Four Questions" [Non-Technical] 38:00 - "Tech Tips" 39:16 - Closing Remarks

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