What to Know Before Painting a Warehouse or Manufacturing Facility
Posted May 24, 2021 by Dave Scaturro
Key Takeaways
- Warehouse and manufacturing painting projects require careful prep, protection of nearby equipment, and a plan that keeps the facility safe and operational.
- The right coating system depends on the surfaces being painted, the facility conditions, and the need for durability against dust, rust, chemicals, and wear.
- Epoxy floors and dryfall ceiling coatings can be especially useful in these environments because they improve protection, cleanability, and day-to-day functionality.
Large painting projects can take a toll on both your energy and pockets - especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. And even though it can be expensive, maintaining your warehouse facility is important for business. To help you get started, we compiled a list of commercial painting guidelines to consider so our team can quickly and proficiently satisfy your painting needs.
First, prep the area
When painting a manufacturing establishment, the facility manager should remove all portable materials, supplies, and equipment from the work area before starting the job. We then have our team use plastic and tarps to drape and cover the existing equipment, interior lighting, HVAC equipment, contuit and floor surfaces. That ensures that everything is protected. Sprinkler heads with tin foil should also be covered to protect them from paint - yet still giving them the ability to work in case of an emergency. Finally, we recommend doing two or three scissor or articulating boom lifts to safely and efficiently access all painting areas.
Make sure you have the right coating applications
Coating system recommendations are largely dependent on the climate and type of surface in need of painting. Most manufacturing plants consist of structural steel, corrugated decking, open web joists, sprinkler piping and conduit throughout the building. Careful surface preparation is essential to ensure your new coating adheres properly to the surface.
At Alpine, our crews utilize compressed air to clean all dust and/or debris from the surfaces before painting. We then prepare the metal surfaces by hand and power tool cleaning using disk grinders, scrapers and wire brushes to remove existing rust or peeling paint. Finally, after all surface preparation is completed, we then prime and paint with high performance, rust inhibitive coatings.
Consider epoxy coating for your warehouse floors
Epoxy floor painting and dryfall paint for ceilings are useful applications for a manufacturing facility. Durable epoxy floor coatings provide protection against heavy foot traffic and resists harmful chemicals - which may cause cracking or change of color.
Using dryfall paint on your ceiling can prevent paint from dripping down and hitting equipment or products you have stored in the warehouse. Dryfall paint will actually dry to a dust before it hits the ground, allowing it to be cleaned up easily by sweeping, rather than having to meticulously wipe it off items.
Thinking of painting your warehouse or manufacturing facility?
Give Alpine a call and we will show you what an experienced contractor can do to make your manufacturing facility look and feel better for your employees and customers.
