Industrial Epoxy Floor Coating for Apex Tool Group in Dayton, OH
a Project by CertaPro Painters of Dayton
Restoring High-Traffic Manufacturing Floors Without Interrupting Production
In February 2026, CertaPro Painters® of Dayton, OH began a two-month industrial flooring project for Apex Tool Group in Dayton. The manufacturing facility supports operations serving the automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors, creating a demanding environment where floors are regularly exposed to heavy traffic, equipment, oils, and industrial residue.
Years of use had left the facility’s concrete floors heavily worn. Safety walkways and floor markings had faded significantly, with some markings becoming nearly nonexistent. CertaPro Painters® was brought in to restore the flooring with a multi-step epoxy coating system designed for the demands of an active manufacturing environment.
About the Project
The existing floors showed extensive signs of long-term wear and contamination, particularly throughout high-traffic production areas. In addition to faded safety markings, years of exposure to oil and industrial residue created an important surface-preparation challenge.
Simply applying a new coating over the existing concrete would not provide the necessary adhesion or long-term performance. The floor first needed to be mechanically prepared and treated to address contaminants embedded within the concrete.
Scope of the Work
The project began with mechanical grinding to remove buildup, deteriorated coatings, and surface contamination while creating a consistent concrete profile for the new coating system.
Because the concrete had experienced years of oil exposure, the team then applied a specialized oil-resistant barrier coat. This helped seal embedded contaminants and reduce the risk of oil migration interfering with the new coating.
A durable epoxy base coat was applied over the prepared floor to create an impact-resistant foundation suitable for high-traffic industrial use. Finally, a protective epoxy clear topcoat provided additional resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and ongoing traffic.
Project Scope
- Mechanical grinding of concrete floors
- Removal of existing coatings, buildup, and surface contamination
- Detailed grinding around edges, corners, and equipment
- Specialized oil-resistant barrier coat
- Durable epoxy base coat
- Protective epoxy clear topcoat
- Restoration of safety walkways and critical floor markings
- Phased work throughout an active manufacturing facility
Challenges & Solutions
Maintaining Full Facility Operations
One of the most significant challenges was that Apex Tool Group remained fully operational throughout the entire project. There was no shutdown period available for the flooring work.
The CertaPro Painters® team coordinated around active machinery, production lines, employee traffic, daily operations, and shift schedules. Work was divided into strategic phases and sections so areas could be completed while minimizing interference with manufacturing operations. Communication with on-site personnel also helped maintain safe working conditions throughout the project.
Addressing Years of Oil Contamination
Industrial oils and residue had penetrated portions of the concrete over years of use. Because contamination can interfere with coating adhesion and contribute to peeling or delamination, properly addressing the existing floor condition was essential.
After mechanical grinding, the crew applied an oil-resistant barrier coat to seal embedded contaminants and create a more stable foundation for the epoxy system.
Specialized Equipment & Surface Preparation
Professional-grade mechanical floor grinders were used across the primary production areas to efficiently prepare large sections of concrete and create a consistent surface profile.
For corners, edges, equipment bases, and other areas inaccessible to the larger equipment, the crew used handheld grinders. Combining the two methods allowed for detailed preparation throughout the facility rather than leaving difficult-to-reach areas untreated.
Before the Project
Years of daily activity had taken a toll on the painted floor markings throughout this Dayton-area manufacturing facility. Yellow pedestrian and safety lines had become faded, worn, and inconsistent, while designated floor areas showed significant scuffing and coating deterioration.
Because the facility remained an active industrial environment, the project required more than a cosmetic refresh. The existing markings needed to be properly prepared and repainted to create clean, highly visible boundaries around walkways, equipment, work areas, and other designated zones. The CertaPro Painters® team evaluated the worn surfaces and developed a plan to restore the markings while working around the facility’s ongoing operations.
Worn Safety Markings Across Manufacturing Floor
Before work began, years of industrial traffic had left safety lines throughout the manufacturing floor faded and worn.
Existing Manufacturing Floor Before Repainting
The existing floor markings helped define work and traffic areas, but regular use had reduced their visibility throughout the facility.
Worn Floor Area Near Facility Entrance
High-use areas showed substantial wear, including deteriorated coatings and scuffing that would need to be addressed during surface preparation.
Faded Pedestrian Walkway Markings
Yellow lines along this equipment corridor had faded from regular foot and equipment traffic, leaving the walkway ready for a fresh application.
During the Project
With the existing surfaces prepared, the CertaPro Painters® team began applying the new floor coating system throughout the designated pedestrian and work areas. The project replaced the worn concrete and faded markings with a clean gray walking surface bordered by highly visible orange safety lines.
Careful planning was especially important because work took place inside an active manufacturing facility. Sections were completed in stages, with work areas isolated as needed so the team could apply coatings around machinery, doorways, walls, and other permanent equipment. The new layout created crisp, clearly defined pathways while giving heavily used areas a cleaner and more uniform finish.
New Pedestrian Walkway and Safety Markings
Fresh gray floor coating and bright orange markings begin transforming a heavily traveled corridor into a clearly defined pedestrian walkway.
After the Project
The completed project gave the manufacturing facility a cleaner, brighter, and more organized appearance while improving the visibility of designated walkways and work zones. Fresh gray floor coatings created consistent pedestrian paths throughout the facility, while high-visibility orange borders and accent areas clearly distinguish circulation routes from surrounding production spaces.
The finished coatings were carefully applied around machinery, doors, equipment, utility areas, and other permanent features of the working facility. Combined with refreshed wall and column accents, the new floor system creates a cohesive appearance that carries throughout the manufacturing environment.
Finished Industrial Walkway
A smooth gray floor coating and bright orange border create a clean, clearly defined pathway through the active manufacturing facility.
Defined Production Areas
Fresh orange markings provide strong visual separation around machinery and production areas while coordinating with the facility's updated color scheme.
High-Visibility Utility Area
A bright orange floor coating provides a highly visible finish within a dedicated utility and equipment area.
Refreshed Manufacturing Floor
Updated floor markings help organize the expansive production environment while maintaining access to machinery and work areas.
The Final Results
Over the course of two months, the worn industrial flooring was transformed with a durable coating system designed for the facility’s demanding environment. Renewed safety walkways and floor markings also restored clear visual organization throughout production areas.
This project represented the fourth phase of flooring improvements CertaPro Painters® of Dayton, OH has completed for Apex Tool Group. The continued partnership reflects the team’s ability to coordinate complex industrial coating projects while working around active production and daily facility operations.
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There is nothing more important to us than your satisfaction. We are flexible and available for you if you ever have any questions about any step of the process. We provide professional service and convenient hours to effectively meet all of your commercial painting needs.
Commercial Painting Services Offered
Drywall Repair
Drywall panels can be repaired or replaced, eliminating signs of wear and tear.
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Epoxy Flooring
The process of concrete staining adds a permanent color to the surface, which bonds tightly so you won’t have to worry about peeling or chipping. The end result is a beautiful translucent hue that enriches the look and feel of any space, indoor or out.
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Exterior Painting
Quality exterior painting can transform a building with color, whether the project calls for conforming to existing standards or making a fresh, bold statement. We can paint all substrates including wood, stucco, vinyl and aluminum, block and cement board.
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High-Durability Coatings
Our team is skilled in applying high-durability coatings for floors, walls, and high-wear areas requiring long-term painting solutions.
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Interior Painting
Our professional painting crews will complete interior painting projects with utmost respect for the property and its occupants.
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Light Carpentry and Repairs
Repairing and replacing siding, including wood, metalwork, stucco, and EIFS – as well as interior drywall, plaster and woodwork – making sure surfaces are in good condition and ready to accept paint.
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Line Striping
Line striping in parking lots is essential to keeping an organized traffic flow in your lot. CertaPro Painters® of Dayton can ensure a positive customer experience by maximizing the number of parking spaces and clearly marking easy access spaces, traffic directions, curbs, speed bumps and general wayfinding.
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Off-hours and Weekend Production
If a project has specific timing requirements, we’re more than happy to accommodate them.
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Power Washing
A clean surface is required for excellent paint adherence. When appropriate for the material, we offer power washing services before painting begins.
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Tilt-up Repairs and Painting
We can patch and caulk any cracked areas for protection from water intrusion and to provide a smooth surface for paint application. We’re prepared to handle every aspect of difficult-access projects.
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Epoxy Pool Painting
Protecting and maintaining your pool’s surface is essential in Dayton, OH. Fluctuating temperatures, high humidity, and freeze-thaw cycles can quickly wear down traditional pool coatings.
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Project Information
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