Ken Smith Auto Parts

Condition of the Building

The exterior of the block building, once vibrant, now shows the unmistakable signs of aging. Large patches of paint have peeled away, revealing the bare, weathered block underneath.

The remaining paint is faded, its original color barely discernible as years of exposure to the elements have left it dull and uneven. Accent bands, once striking in their bold hues, are now ghostly remnants of their former selves—chipped and cracked, with colors that have lost their brightness.

Project Involvement

The scope of work for prepping and repainting the building covers a variety of surfaces and components to ensure a comprehensive update.

Special Challenges

The project presented several unique challenges that required careful attention during production. One of the key tasks was tacking in window boards to protect the windows during surface preparation and painting. This involves securely fastening temporary coverings over the wood and metal windows to prevent paint overspray or damage, which can be tricky due to the irregularities and potential aging of the window frames.

Another challenge is the application of backer rod and caulk, which is essential for sealing gaps and ensuring a smooth, weather-resistant surface. The backer rod will need to be inserted into larger cracks or gaps in the block wall or wood siding, followed by the application of caulk to create a flexible, durable seal. This step is crucial for preventing moisture infiltration and ensuring a longer-lasting paint job, but it requires precise workmanship, especially in hard-to-reach areas or where old caulk needs to be removed.

The accent band painting, involving multiple colors, presents its own complexities. Each color must be applied with precision to maintain sharp, clean lines and avoid color bleeding. This requires meticulous masking and a steady hand to ensure the transitions between colors are crisp. The presence of aging surfaces, along with potentially faded or worn accent bands, may also make it difficult to achieve uniform coverage, adding to the challenge of restoring the building’s appearance.

Equipment & Techniques

For this project, production will be facilitated by the use of a 34-foot articulating boom lift and a water trailer, necessary due to limited water access on site. The boom lift will allow workers to safely and efficiently reach elevated areas of the building, such as the ceiling space under wood shingles, roof cap, and higher wall sections, providing a stable platform for prepping and painting. The articulating arm’s flexibility is ideal for maneuvering around obstacles and tight spaces, ensuring precision work on both the front and right sides of the building.

Since water access is limited, a water trailer will be brought in to supply the necessary water for cleaning surfaces prior to painting and for mixing paint or cleaning tools as needed. The trailer will serve as a mobile water source, allowing for uninterrupted workflow and eliminating the need to rely on potentially distant or inadequate water supplies. Together, the boom lift and water trailer will streamline the project, ensuring that all surfaces are properly prepped and painted, even in hard-to-reach or remote areas.