Introduction
Lucy the Elephant, America’s oldest roadside tourist attraction, was originally built in 1882 out of wood and tin. However, wood and tin are not built to last forever. To preserve Lucy’s iconic status and her continuation as a landmark, the Save Lucy Committee began a comprehensive restoration project.
Acrymax was chosen for this crucial restoration due to our expertise in high-performance coating systems and our commitment to historic preservation. Our specialized coatings were designed to protect and enhance Lucy’s enduring legacy.
The Challenge
Lucy the Elephant has withstood the ravages of both time and the elements since her construction. Located only yards from the Atlantic Ocean, she has been subjected to corrosive salt spray and severe weather conditions for over a century. Over the years, Lucy faced additional challenges, including damage from a lightning strike in 2006, which blackened her white tusks.
These restoration plans included replacing Lucy’s metal skin with a new metal skin that would need to be coated with custom-matched coatings to bring her colors to life. The metal chosen was Monel which exhibits excellent corrosion resistance. Monel is a high-performance nickel-copper alloy. It was imperative that the base coating of any system used would need to exhibit excellent adhesion to this.
As restoration plans progressed, the final paint and coating finish was of utmost importance. The conservation team sought a coating system that would provide adhesion, durability, color retention, and flexibility to handle the harsh coastal environment.
The Solution
Acrymax provided an advanced coating system customized just for Lucy’s restoration. We began with a bonding primer coat of PC-125, known for its rust resistance and superior adhesion. Testing was done to ensure that PC-125 would provide the adhesion to the Monel skin as required for a successful project. This was followed by Acrymax’s AF-130XT, a high-strength elastomeric coating that provides the necessary flexibility and tensile strength for harsh conditions.
The final finish coating was AF-4400, a fluoropolymer coating based on Kynar Aquatec® resins, chosen for its superior color retention and gloss. For color, we ultimately matched five shades of historic colors to preserve Lucy’s historic look. After the application of the colors, a layer of our AF-4200 clear coat was added in certain areas to provide enhanced gloss and additional protection.
The Results
Lucy’s restoration was completed in 2022, resulting in a durable, striking finish. Lucy the Elephant’s new metal skin effectively protects her from the harsh conditions of the Jersey shore, preserving her for generations to come. The use of advanced elastomeric coatings and specialized finish coats based on fluoropolymer coating technology has ensured that Lucy will remain a beloved landmark and a symbol of historical preservation. With Lucy the Elephant now equipped with a customized, state-of-the-art coating system, she stands ready to continue enchanting visitors for generations to come.
If you are interested in learning more about how Acrymax’s coating systems can benefit your next project, whether for historic preservation or modern applications, contact us today. Let Acrymax help you achieve outstanding results with our innovative coating solutions.
Kynar Aquatec® is a registered trademark of Arkema Inc.
