Sherwin‑Williams Revives Historic Battleship Missouri with 5,500 Gallons of Advanced Coatings

Nearly 5,500 gallons of Sherwin‑Williams protective coatings have been applied to the historic Battleship Missouri, which has recently returned to her home pier near the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The ex‑U.S.S. Missouri, affectionately known as the “Mighty Mo,” is the site of Japan’s unconditional surrender to Allied Forces on September 2, 1945, a pivotal moment that ended World War II. Launched in June 1944, the ship saw action in the decisive battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and later served in the Korean Conflict and the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. Today it is cared for by the non‑profit USS Missouri Memorial Association, which operates the vessel as the Battleship Missouri Memorial, a historic attraction and national tribute in Pearl Harbor.

Work on the $18 million refurbishment began in October under the guidance of BAE Systems at the U.S. Navy’s Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Volunteers from the memorial pressure‑washed the superstructure, after which BAE Systems and its subcontractors removed remaining paint, spot‑primed bare steel, and applied airless‑sprayed coatings to the superstructure and freeboard. The underwater hull was protected with a high‑performance, multi‑component spray system.

Key Sherwin‑Williams products used on the 887‑foot battleship included:

• Dura‑Plate UHS Epoxy, SeaGuard Vinyl Antifoulant (underwater hull)
• Dura‑Plate UHS Epoxy, Polysiloxane XLE‑80 (freeboard)
• Macropoxy 920 Pre‑Prime, Mil‑PRF‑24635 Silicone Alkyd (mast aloft black areas)
• Macropoxy 920 Pre‑Prime, SeaGuard 5000 HS Epoxy, Polysiloxane XLE‑80 (superstructure)
• Dura‑Plate MT, Dura‑Plate UHS Epoxy (decks)

Sherwin‑Williams also supplied technical expertise and collaborated closely with the shipyard and contractor throughout the project.

“It was an honor for Sherwin‑Williams to provide coatings for one of the most renowned and historically significant ships in U.S. history,” said Brad Rossetto, Vice President of Marketing, Sherwin‑Williams Protective & Marine. “We are proud to have worked with the USS Missouri Memorial Association and BAE Systems to help preserve one of America’s most precious assets for generations to come.”

“Thanks to the support of partners such as Sherwin‑Williams, the Battleship Missouri is fortified against the elements for decades to come,” said Ron Chavez, Chief Engineer for the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

“There was a tremendous amount of marine growth stuck to the hull that needed to be removed before the team could start the preservation work,” said Roger Kubischta, Director of Operations for BAE Systems’ Hawaii Shipyard. “There was corrosion in spots of the hull, but it was mostly intact. In all, over eight acres of the boat’s surface needed to be preserved.”

“BAE Systems was honored to help lead the preservation effort on this historic vessel,” said Dave Herr, President of BAE Systems Support Solutions. “With the hard work of our employees and subcontractors, and our trusted partnership with Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, one of our nation’s most treasured assets is back pier‑side today. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with the USS Missouri Memorial Association, whose passion for the project was inspiring and a testament to the historic significance of the Mighty Mo and the importance of bringing her history to life.”