Commercial Case Study

Project Overview

Cintas reached out to us to completely transform their basic block building, making their exterior a bit more dynamic with custom striping and blocks around the entire structure. In addition to painting, the back side’s masonry had some damage that needs to be repaired. The tilt-up, metal trim, and doors also required some repairs and paint.

Initial Condition

As mentioned in the overview above, the exterior had seen some wear and tear. Some of the masonry on the back side of the building was cracked and crumbling and the existing white coat of paint was also showing some dirt and grime from years of Minnesota’s extreme weather conditions. Outside of these bigger issues, there were trouble spots that required attention around the entire building.

Scope of Work

• Repair the damaged masonry, caulk problem spots, and replace the backer rod of the tilt-up
• Power wash the entire structure to get it ready for painting
• Determine a new color scheme for the exterior
• Paint the exterior walls, metal trim, doors, and everything else on the outside of the structure

Challenges and Solutions

The biggest challenge of the entire project was creating multiple color blocks and stripes as the building did not have any natural lines to follow. Also, the building was not entirely level with the ground and with some settling, there were a couple modifications that had to be completed before the painting began. To plan our painting design, we used lasers, levels, and other tools to get everything measured exactly for our color consulting team.

Additionally, the surface of the building was made of porous material in a corrugated design, so we had to find the correct tape for our painting. The right tape would adhere better to the surface, minimizing bleed through while we painted. Our local 3M team helped to determine the best tape for our needs. Next, we had to use specialized tools and equipment for repairs and to reach the higher spots on the exterior. We utilized a boom lift for the upper walls and power caulking tools to remove and replace the failed backer rod.

Finally, we had to contend with a condensed timeline to coincide with Cintas’ fiscal budgeting periods and inconsistent weather. Rainy days forced us to work on weekends so that we stayed within our timeline.

Conclusion

Overall, the project took 4 weeks to complete, finishing up on June 1st. Through this project’s unique challenges, we got to flex our painting knowledge, as well as some general handyman expertise, to deliver exceptional painting results. Utilizing specialized tools, we were able to properly prepare a difficult, damaged surface for specialized painting. The Cintas building now has a unique, great-looking exterior that will stand up to Minnesota’s extreme weather in the coming years!