Constructed in the 1800s, the Johnson County Courthouse is one of the most treasured historic landmarks in Franklin, Indiana. The building’s exterior is a combination of red brick, limestone and steel surfaces, and the classical elements incorporated into the building really define the structure, from the pediments and columns to the large clock tower that can be viewed for miles. When it was determined that the exterior decorative metal required a recoat of the existing surfaces, Tnemec was sworn-in for the job.

“This project was quite an undertaking,” said Tnemec coating consultant Jerry Petro. “There was a large amount of decorative metal that encompassed the building around the top of the courthouse that was in need of recoating.”

Following the removal of the existing coatings, Series 530 Omnithane, an aluminum pigmented polyurethane providing excellent moisture, chemical and corrosion resistance, was brush- and roller-applied over the cleaned metal.

Two coats of Series 1074 Endura-Shield II, an aliphatic acrylic polyurethane highly resistant to wet conditions, corrosive fumes and exterior weathering, were brush- and roller-applied in white to complete the system.

The decorative metal could not be sandblasted; therefore, Series 530 was chosen because of its tenacious bond to marginally prepared steel. Series 1074 was selected because it would provide a clean, white appearance that would be retained for a long period of time.

“I drive by the courthouse every day,” noted Petro. “It was a beautiful rehab project, and the building remains a focal point for the community of Franklin.”