Case Study: TK-9 Floor Liner Removal and Recoat – Thunder Bay, ON

Please click HERE for the case study on induction removal project Pro Paint completed back in 2025.

About induction removal

Induction liner removal is a controlled, non-abrasive method used to strip internal coatings or linings from steel tanks by applying electromagnetic heat. The process uses an induction coil to generate heat directly within the steel substrate, causing the bond between the coating and the steel to break down. Once the adhesion fails, the liner can be removed in large sections with minimal mechanical effort.

This method is particularly effective because it heats the substrate rather than the coating itself. The differential expansion between the steel and the lining weakens the bond, allowing for cleaner removal compared to traditional abrasive blasting or mechanical scraping. It also significantly reduces dust, waste generation, and the risk of damaging the underlying steel surface.

Induction removal is most effective under the following conditions:

• Thick, bonded linings such as epoxies, rubber linings, coal tar epoxies, and certain FRP systems where mechanical removal is slow or aggressive.

• Carbon steel tanks where the substrate efficiently conducts and responds to induction heating.

• Situations requiring substrate preservation, such as tanks that must maintain wall thickness or avoid over-blasting.

• Confined or controlled environments where minimizing airborne contaminants and debris is critical.

• Projects with environmental or waste disposal constraints, as the process produces larger, more manageable waste pieces rather than fine particulate.