Commercial Case Study

The problem to be solved / Background:

The City of Rensselaer’s Gas Department Building serves as a critical operational hub for managing the city’s municipal gas infrastructure and supporting other city services. Located adjacent to the cities Amtrak Station and exposed to seasonal weather fluctuations, the exterior of the building had experienced noticeable wear and discoloration. The original paint had faded, cracked, and began to peel in several areas, in addition to some rusting detracting from the professional appearance of the facility and potentially compromising the integrity of the underlying materials. Recognizing the need for maintenance, the city initiated a project to repaint the building’s exterior to preserve its structural integrity and improve aesthetics.

Objectives:

• Protect the building’s exterior surfaces from further weather-related damage.
• Restore and enhance the building’s appearance to reflect civic pride and professionalism.
• Apply high-quality materials designed to withstand environmental conditions and minimize future maintenance needs.
• Complete the work in adherence to safety protocols and municipal regulations.

Planning and Preparation:

Thorough planning was essential to ensure the success of the project. The preparation phase began with a detailed site assessment of the building’s exterior, identifying key problem areas such as cracked masonry, mold, rust, and peeling paint. Based on the findings, weather-resistant, industrial-grade paint was selected to ensure long-term durability and compatibility with the surface materials.

A comprehensive surface preparation plan was put in place, which included pressure washing, scraping, sanding, and priming to promote strong paint adhesion and a smooth final finish. Scheduling was aligned with a favorable weather window to minimize the risk of delays and ensure proper curing. A safety protocol was also implemented to protect workers and limit disruption to nearby public areas and essential operations.

Solution and Execution

To begin, all adjacent surfaces not slated for painting were masked off to prevent overspray, and obstructions were removed as needed. Power washing with detergent helped remove dirt, contaminants, and buildup. This was followed by scraping and sanding peeling areas, grinding rusted metal with a wire wheel, and filling small holes (up to the size of a golf ball) with bondo for a uniform surface.

Rust-affected areas were treated with a rust-inhibiting primer, while sections with previous peeling were primed using an extreme bonding primer. For the finish coat, Sherwin-Williams Latitude was selected and applied in two coats. This product features Climate Flex Technology, making it well-suited for seasonal temperature fluctuations.

The final color scheme included four Sherwin-Williams paints:

• Overall Body: Network Gray SW 7073
• Accent Body: Web Gray SW 7075
• Trim: Extra White SW 7006
• Dock Accents: Tricorn Black SW 6258

Throughout the project, quality control walkthroughs were conducted between coats by the CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana Project Manager and Job Site Supervisor to maintain high standards. Upon completion, a final “Pride Walk” was conducted with the customer and the CertaPro team to confirm satisfaction.

Challenges

Weather variability created minor delays due to unexpected rain showers, requiring flexibility in the work schedule. Some surface areas exhibited significant degradation, which required additional repairs prior to painting. Additionally, since the facility remained operational, close coordination with staff was necessary to avoid disrupting the gas department’s daily functions. This included the temporary relocation of select equipment.

Final Results / Outcomes

Despite the challenges, the project was completed successfully and delivered several key outcomes:

• The building’s appearance was dramatically improved, showcasing the city’s commitment to infrastructure maintenance and service quality.
• The new coating system now provides enhanced protection against UV exposure, moisture, and daily environmental wear.
• Operations continued smoothly with minimal disruption throughout the project.
• Feedback from staff and the public was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the professionalism and visual upgrade of the facility.

City of Rensselaer – Gas Department Building Photos