Commercial Case Study
North Ridge Health
In November 2021, CertaPro Painters of Minnetonka, MN performed a project at the 320-bedroom North Ridge Health facility in Minnetonka. The facility had undergone several expansions over the years, and the wood décor in the main lobby and second floor recreation areas had grown dated by comparison. Our job was to give these wooden trim elements a fresh new look to match the rest of the building.
Prep Work
To ensure proper adhesion of the new coating that would be applied, each surface was lightly sanded with 220-grit sandpaper before being vacuumed and wiped with a tack cloth. This was done on every working area, including the floor molding, crown molding, decorative wood posts and a coffee bar.
Out of an abundance of caution and respect for the residents of the facility, all of our crew members were tested for COVID prior to entering the facility.
Challenges
The typical process of changing the color of stained wood entails sanding off the original layers of clear coat and stain, then replacing them with the new color. However, this process is very time-consuming and produces a tremendous amount of dust – two things that would be significant concerns in a healthcare facility.
So, after discussion with the facility manager and a regional paint representative, the decision was made to instead use a wiping stain top-coated with a new layer of clear coat. This allowed us to avoid the dust issue entirely and minimize disruption to residents and staff.
The Finished Product
Once the surface was clean, a single coat of Old Masters Wiping Stain was dry-brushed on to simulate a wood grain effect, followed by a top coat of Old Masters Polyurethane.
The end result is a fresh lease on life for the oldest sections of this facility that residents and staff alike can be proud of. Many of them even commented that the new look is reminiscent of rich mahogany! By consulting with paint industry experts and facility staff prior to the beginning of the project, we were able to accomplish it in only 2.5 days with minimal operations to the critical work being done at the facility.
