Project Summary

Client	BAE Systems
Project	HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier flight deck sections
Sector	Marine / Shipbuilding
Location	Birkenhead, UK
Product Used	Protectapeel Anti Rust
Application	Temporary protection for steel surfaces against rust and damage

Key Figures

• 3,500+ tonnes — Total weight of flight deck sections
• £3b — Project value 
• 5 — Flight deck sections delivered
• 1,440 hours — Salt spray testing achieved

Project Overview

BAE Systems was involved in the construction of major flight deck sections for HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of the UK’s largest and most significant naval shipbuilding programmes. Working on a complex marine project of this scale required dependable, temporary steel protection during fabrication, handling, storage and transport. Protectapeel Anti Rust was selected to help safeguard the steel surfaces and maintain quality throughout the build process.

 

The Challenge

Large fabricated steel sections in a marine environment are exposed to multiple risks before final finishing, including flash rusting, corrosion, weathering, weld spatter, abrasion and scratching. For BAE Systems, the protection system also needed to work efficiently across large, shaped and curved steel surfaces without adding unnecessary labour or introducing extra surface preparation and cleaning stages later in the programme.

The Solution – Temporary Steel Protection

Spraylat supplied Protectapeel Anti Rust, a peelable temporary coating developed to protect steel surfaces during demanding manufacturing and transport conditions. Applied by airless spray gun, the coating enabled consistent coverage across the flight deck sections while delivering strong adhesion and a durable glossy finish. Once protection was no longer required, the coating could be peeled away cleanly, leaving the surface residue-free and reducing the need for solvents, shot blasting or further remedial preparation prior to painting.

Technical Information

Product	Protectapeel Anti Rust
Surface Type	Steel surfaces only; not suitable for acrylic surfaces
Application Method	Liquid applied by airless spray gun
Protection Duration	Up to 24 months with no loss of adhesion
Removal	Peels away easily, leaving the surface residue-free
Test Performance	Achieved C5 High rating after 1,440 hours of salt spray testing

Key Benefits

• Consistent airless spray application across large steel sections
• Ideal for shaped and curved surfaces
• Protects against flash rusting, corrosion, salt water and weathering
• Peels away cleanly with no residue
• Reduces labour by eliminating solvents, shot blasting and unnecessary surface preparation

Product Used

Anti Rust

Protectapeel Anti Rust is a peelable coating designed to protect steel from damage caused by; flash rusting, weld spatter, salt water, corrosion, weathering, abrasion and scratching. This coating CANNOT be used on acrylic surfaces

• Liquid applied by airless spray gun for consistent coverage, Ideal for shaped and curved surfaces, Easy to remove by peeling, leaving the surface residue-free, Up to 24 months of protection with no loss of adhesion ensuring consistent performance, Labour-efficient application and removal, eliminates the need for any solvents, eliminates the need for shot blasting, prevents the need to prepare surfaces prior to painting

Results

• Protected steel surfaces from corrosion-related and physical damage risks during project delivery
• Supported efficient application on large, complex fabricated sections
• Delivered clean peelable removal without residue
• Helped reduce downstream preparation requirements before painting

Conclusion

For a high-profile marine engineering project such as HMS Queen Elizabeth, temporary surface protection had to be reliable, efficient and easy to manage at scale. Protectapeel Anti Rust provided BAE Systems with a practical, high-performance solution for protecting steel flight deck sections throughout manufacture and handling. The project demonstrates how Spraylat’s specialist coatings can improve process efficiency while supporting quality, durability and more sustainable working practices by reducing the need for solvent cleaning and abrasive surface treatment.

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