Lena Rivera
The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic landmark in San Francisco, California, and is known for its distinctive International Orange hue. The bridge is constantly under attack from corrosive salt air, roadway contaminants, age, and UV rays, which means it requires regular repainting to keep it protected and looking sharp. While it is not repainted from end to end every year as some claim, the bridge is indeed continuously painted by a small team of painters who work from Monday to Friday, 6:30 am to 3 pm, battling corrosion and rust to maintain its famous colour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of painters | 28-35 |
| Work hours | Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Number of crew members | 10 |
| Number of sandblasting crews | 2 |
| Number of painting crews | 2 |
| Number of painters in a painting crew | 10 |
| Height of the elevator ride on the first day | 746 feet |
| Annual budget for paint and sand | $300,000 |
| Amount of sand used in 2021 | 720,000 pounds |
| Amount of paint used in 2021 | 2,590 gallons |
| Paint supplier | Sherwin-Williams |
| Paint color | International Orange |
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What You'll Learn
The Golden Gate Bridge is continuously painted
The Golden Gate Bridge is under near-constant attack from corrosive salt air, roadway contaminants, age, and UV rays. This means that a team of painters is required to work continuously to keep the bridge protected and looking sharp. The team of painters, who work from Monday to Friday, 6:30 am to 3 pm, battle the corrosion that the salt air and water cause. The paint is required to maintain the art deco design of the bridge, which is an iconic landmark for San Francisco.
The painters are not the only workers required to maintain the bridge. The engineering department regularly inspects the almost million-ton, 1.7-mile-long bridge and identifies areas that should be reinforced and repainted. The process also requires engineers, ironworkers, operational engineers, electricians, labourers, and carpenters.
The first day for a new painter involves a harness and elevator training excursion to the top of the bridge, 746 feet in the sky. This is a rite of passage and a way to test whether a new painter can handle the heights.
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The paint colour is a special mixture called 'International Orange'
The Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of San Francisco, a gateway from the bay to the Pacific Ocean, and an iconic landmark for visitors. The bridge's 35 professional painters work tirelessly to maintain its famous International Orange hue. This distinctive colour is a special mixture formulated specifically for the Golden Gate Bridge.
The story behind the colour choice is quite interesting. In the 1930s, the now-iconic "International Orange" was initially intended to serve only as the primer. However, over the years, the public has grown fond of this unique hue, with people wanting to paint their bikes, houses, and even dog houses in this shade.
Golden Gate Bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie and paint superintendent Rocky Dellarocca are intimately familiar with this colour, as they work to maintain the bridge's appearance despite the challenges posed by fog and high winds. Rocky and his crew brave the elements to ensure the bridge is properly painted, using approximately 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of paint yearly.
The exact paint mixture can be found on the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District's website. However, as Dellarocca notes, you can't simply walk into a paint store and purchase this specific shade of International Orange. It is a custom colour, formulated just for the Golden Gate Bridge, adding to the bridge's uniqueness and iconic status.
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The bridge's painting requires a large team of painters
The Golden Gate Bridge requires a team of painters to maintain its iconic appearance. The bridge is under constant attack from corrosive salt air, roadway contaminants, age, and UV rays. As a result, it requires regular repainting to keep it protected and looking sharp. The painting process is a challenging and exhilarating task, requiring painters to work at great heights and brave thick fog and high-speed winds.
The team of painters at the Golden Gate Bridge consists of about 28 to 35 professional painters led by a paint superintendent. The painters work in crews of about 10 people, with some crews dedicated to sandblasting and others to painting. The work is continuous, with the painters moving from one section of the bridge to another as needed. The painting process is not as simple as a single coat of paint; it involves sandblasting, priming, and multiple coats of paint, requiring a large quantity of paint and sand.
The painters are not the only ones involved in the maintenance of the bridge. The paint superintendent oversees a team that includes engineers, ironworkers, operational engineers, electricians, labourers, and carpenters. Each contributes their unique skills and expertise to the mammoth task of maintaining the bridge. The electricians, for example, are responsible for running generators to power equipment, lights, and humidifiers, which are necessary to maintain the required humidity levels for applying the finish.
The painters themselves form a tight-knit group, familiar with every nook and cranny of the bridge. They know the extent of the corrosion and the unique personalities of the bridge, from the waving joggers to the daily protests and daredevil acts. The work is not just a job for them but a source of pride, as they contribute to the maintenance of one of the world's most iconic landmarks.
The Golden Gate Bridge's painting requires a large and dedicated team working together to ensure its longevity and iconic status. The painters, along with the other specialists, form an elite squad, tirelessly battling the elements to protect and preserve the bridge.
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The painting process includes sandblasting to remove the old coat
The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous landmark that requires constant upkeep due to the corrosive salt air, roadway contaminants, age, and UV rays. The bridge's steel structure is constantly at risk of rust and corrosion, necessitating a dedicated team of painters who work tirelessly to maintain its iconic appearance.
The painting process is a complex and meticulous task. Before applying a fresh coat of paint, the old paint must be removed through a process called sandblasting. This method involves using compressed air to propel sand particles at high velocities onto the surface, effectively stripping away the previous paint layer and any rust or corrosion that has built up. Sandblasting is a crucial step in the painting process as it ensures a clean and smooth surface for the new paint to adhere to.
The Golden Gate Bridge's paint superintendent, Fred Mixon, oversees a team of around 28 painters. In his role, Mixon manages the continuous painting process, which involves working on different sections of the bridge rather than repainting it from end to end each time. The painters work in crews of about 10 people, with some crews dedicated to sandblasting while others focus on the painting itself.
Mixon emphasizes the importance of maintaining the bridge's steel structure, stating, "We put forth a good effort because you can't cheat the steel." The sandblasting process plays a vital role in preserving the steel by removing the old paint and preparing the surface for a new coat. This step ensures the bridge's longevity and protects it from the elements.
The process of sandblasting and repainting the Golden Gate Bridge is a never-ending chore. The high salt content in the air and water surrounding the bridge accelerates the corrosion process, requiring constant vigilance and maintenance. In recent years, the annual budget for paint and sandblasting has been approximately $300,000, with 720,000 pounds of sand and 2,590 gallons of paint used in 2021 alone.
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The painting process is dangerous due to the height of the bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of San Francisco, a gateway from the bay to the Pacific Ocean. For the small team of painters, it is an office, a familiar place they report to every day. The bridge's 35 professional painters know every nook and cranny, the way the rivets puncture the steel, and the extent of the corrosion they constantly battle. They also know the moments of chaos: the protests, the suicides, and the daredevil acts.
The bridge requires constant repainting due to the salt content of the air and water around it, which causes rust and steel corrosion. The engineering department regularly inspects the almost million-ton, 1.7-mile-long bridge and identifies areas that need reinforcement and repainting. It can take up to five years to paint some sections of the bridge.
The painters work from Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with about 10 people per crew. There are typically two crews sandblasting, with two painting crews trailing behind. The painters take pride in their work, knowing that they are helping to protect and preserve an iconic structure.
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Frequently asked questions
No, that is a myth. However, the bridge is continuously painted, but it might not go from one end to the other. The bridge requires so much painting due to the salt content of the air and water, which causes rust and steel corrosion.
The Golden Gate Bridge is continuously painted and maintained. The bridge's paint job is never truly finished.
The Golden Gate Bridge is painted by a small, tight-knit team of 35 professional painters. The painters work from Monday to Friday, 6:30 am to 3 pm, braving thick fog and high-speed winds.
The Golden Gate Bridge is painted in a unique shade of reddish-orange, officially known as "International Orange". This colour was chosen by Irving Morrow, the consulting architect for the bridge, who noticed the striking reddish-orange primer painted on some of the steel.
