A commercial building can be updated with a fresh coat of paint to keep it looking neat and presentable. Before any work on a commercial painting project starts, it’s crucial to be aware of some basics to prevent potential issues.
The quality of a paint job depends on the prep work done before it. It will help you keep your painting project on schedule and within your budget if you take these careful steps.
This guide takes you through the preparation and process of commercial building paintings.
Painting a Commercial Building Interior
Surface Inspection of Commercial Buildings
Taping off and covering all surfaces not getting painted is the first step to any interior painting project. Use plastic and paper or even drop clothes (in smaller areas). If the ceiling is exposed, use aluminum foil to cover any sprinkler heads, and tape off and over any color-coded lines. These are very important aspects of starting the process out the right way towards successful completion.
It is important to start out by spotting any imperfections in the walls and repairing them. Whether the walls are drywall or block repairs can be made. Sanding down any repairs and priming them is a must, so they don’t flash through the top coat.
Lastly, sanding down drywall or cleaning dirty blocks with a cleaner ensures the surfaces are ready to be painted to achieve maximum adherence.
Picking the Perfect Color
Picking the right paint color is vital when it comes to commercial painting. If you want to give the impression that your commercial property is committed to the satisfaction of its clients and staff, then you can positively reinforce this by its upkeep. Color selection supports the identity and values of a brand. A Lot of companies have their staff involved in color selection to build up company morale and create a TEAM atmosphere of making choices, as so much time is spent at work.
A neutral color scheme, for instance, can be a good option for the interior of multi-unit office buildings or companies like law firms. On the other hand, a bolder color scheme can be advantageous for retail stores, beauty parlors, and similar businesses.
Based on this, the majority of commercial painting experts all concur on one thing; take care not to overwhelm the clients. Sometimes all it takes to make a strong impression is one wall with a daring style or even an accent wall to give the room more character.
On the exterior, remember that darker colors attract more sunlight and are more likely to fade faster than lighter colors. This could gain you many extra years on your preventive maintenance paint cycle by taking this into consideration.
Preparing the Area
Aside from cleaning and securing the interiors, it’s crucial to ensure all decorations get removed from the display cases, shelves, walls, and other surfaces. Keep light furniture away from the walls.
To prevent paint drips and splashes, cover the floors with a drop cloth and the furniture with plastic. Since floor edges can be difficult to clean, painting the edges with tape is another smart move. In terms of cleanliness, pressure washing mildew stains and debris away can increase the paint’s durability.
Sanding and Filling all Dents
Carefully inspect the walls after everything is tidy and clean, and then fix any dents or bumps.
A putter knife and plaster are good for fissure covering. You can eliminate the bumps, level the surface, and create an even base for the new coat of pain.
Once you’re sure your surface is flat and ready for work, don’t forget to apply a protective coat of primer.
Use a Primer
When painting a commercial building, priming is a step that residential painters frequently skip, but it is crucial.
Apart from giving the paint a base to adhere to, primer protects the walls from a fresh coat of paint. As a result, it preserves the new paint’s integrity and increases its durability. Because they don’t need as many coats to look professional, tinted primers are excellent for hiding already-present bright colors.
Recognize The Needs of Your Staff
If you can’t schedule your painting project outside of regular business hours or over the holidays, consider the needs of your employees. Tell them about the project and ensure that they are aware of the work and timeline of your project, so they know if they need to remove valuable items off of the walls or their work areas.
Painting a Commercial Building Exterior
Paying close attention to the details is essential when working with large surfaces and applying paint according to precise instructions and brand-specific colors. Here are some suggestions to ensure your exterior painting project is successful and attractive.
Cleanup the Commercial Building’s Exterior
Like preparing a commercial interior for painting, pressure washing a building’s exterior can help lower the overall cost of professional painting and maintenance.
The experts advise not to apply paint to dusty, chalky, or dirty surfaces. The new coat of paint won’t stick and will make the exterior look uneven and rough.
Before and after painting, a true professional will power wash, scrape loose and flaking paint, prime bare surfaces, and clean the surface to ensure maximum adhesion.
Consider the Weather
Weather factors like wind, rain, and snow affect the commercial exterior painting. The success of renovations, however, can be impacted by more than just harsh and unpredictable weather.
A paint’s behavior changes depending on the temperature. For instance, latex paint works best at temperatures between 50° and 85°F, while oil-based paint adheres to walls best when the temperature is between 40° and 90°F.
Selecting the ideal time for your project could be crucial if you want to save money and resources on your painting endeavor.
Follow Stringent Safety Regulations
Observing safety regulations is necessary when painting the exterior of commercial buildings. Consider the safety of the tenants, staff, and customers.
Use safety equipment and get insurance for the painters and other contractors involved.
Choose a non-toxic, odorless paint that causes minimal to no threat to people’s wellbeing.
Due to our strict safety standards and flawless execution, we are a well-known painting company with many satisfied customers.
Ensure the Contractor has the Necessary Equipment
Commercial painting companies, as opposed to residential painters, frequently have all the essential equipment for their projects. Aside from that, they can offer suggestions for how projects should get carried out based on their knowledge of painting commercial structures.
Always confirm the painting company’s bonding and licensing as this influences the security and skill level of the services offered. A competent business will have no trouble giving you all the required paperwork and guidance to meet their needs and expectations.
Check the Sharpness of Exterior Branding
Your audience expects a seamless experience from their mobile devices to the interior and exterior of your commercial building, so being on brand is no longer just a choice.
Ensure that all your advertising materials, including banners, logos, and more, are professionally addressed and painted with consistent brand colors.
Brand consistency is critical to both your clients and employees.
Bottom Line
Last but not least, an accomplished and trustworthy painting contractor can fully understand the details of your project. They’ll help you maximize the business value and get the best bang for your buck.
Give us a call if you need a commercial interior or exterior painting contractor or if you’d like a free estimate. Our professionals will ensure that the work is world-class.
Mike Jordan has 15+ years in commercial painting, industrial painting and flooring. Other than this, he loves writing on different topics related to painting, epoxy and flooring.