How commercial painting contractors prepare a job site
Though many people are not aware of it, prep work is the most important stage of any commercial or industrial painting project. Without thorough and proper preparation, the completed project will be substandard quality, and you’ll end up having to repaint much sooner than should be necessary.
Projects with a solid foundation of prep work can retain both their protective qualities and aesthetic appeal for up to a decade or longer. There are many pre-project preparations that a good commercial painting contractor will apply to a job site, from surface prep to readying crews and equipment.
Surface preparation
Whether the project involves painting floors, walls, machinery, or steel structural components, proper surface prep is the key to paint adhesion and durability. Commercial painting contractors use several methods for surface prep, which vary according to the substrate and the type of paint being used. Some of these methods are:
- Blasting: This method uses a high-velocity spray to prepare a surface for painting. Different materials are sprayed onto the surface, depending on the project. Shot blasting, which uses metal beads, is typically for concrete floors. Sand blasting is often used for steel or masonry surfaces, while water blasting is employed to remove dirt and contaminants.
- Diamond grinding: Used for concrete floors or decks to remove the top layer and level the surface, this method employs diamond blades to break up hard material.
- Hand tool prep: For small or difficult to reach areas, or for minor surface preparation, a commercial painting contractor often employs blades, scrapers, or wire brushes to roughen the surface and create adhesion for the new paint.
On-site safety
In addition to preparing the surfaces to be painted, your contractor should also prepare the painting crew and the equipment used for safety at the job site. Much of this prep work should be in place throughout the history of the contractor company, in the form of comprehensive safety training. The commercial painting crew should also hold regular on-site safety meetings to ensure continued protection.
