Commercial Case Study

The Problem to Be Solved / Background

Crown Point High School, which serves more than 2,900 students, needed to update its aging metal lockers. Many showed signs of chipped paint, rust, and faded, outdated colors that no longer reflected the school’s branding. Because of the tight academic calendar, the administration partnered with CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana to complete the project over the school’s 10-day Christmas break.

Project Objectives

The primary goal was to repaint 3,000 lockers across four main hallways using Sherwin-Williams Heartthrob SW 6866, a bold red aligned with the school’s color scheme. The project needed to be completed within the holiday window, with minimal disruption and no lingering odors upon students’ return.

Planning and Preparation

Preparation began with a site assessment on November 19 to evaluate locker conditions and establish logistics. The Sherwin-Williams Pro Industrial product line was selected for its durability, chemical resistance, and long-term performance in high-traffic environments.

To ensure a smooth start, the school’s maintenance staff confirmed that all lockers would be emptied in advance, providing full access to every locker bay. Because winter temperatures limited the use of open-air ventilation, temporary fans were installed to improve airflow and support faster drying while keeping indoor air quality safe.

Execution

The team began by protecting floors in and around the work areas with heavy-duty coverings and draping nearby walls with plastic. Each locker bay was cordoned off to contain overspray.

All locker surfaces were thoroughly sanded with 60-grit paper, including extra attention to rusted areas. Old stickers were removed, hardware and number plates were masked, and a degreaser was used to clean the surfaces. Areas affected by rust received a coat of rust-inhibiting primer.

Once prepared, the team applied three to four light coats of Sherwin-Williams Heartthrob, adjusting based on the original locker color to ensure consistent coverage. Walkthroughs were conducted between coats by the Project Manager and Job Site Supervisor to catch any touch-up needs before moving on. At project completion, a final “Pride Walk” was conducted with the customer and the CertaPro team to review and sign off on the work.

Challenges

Cold winter conditions posed ventilation limitations, but these were effectively managed using industrial fans. The compressed timeline required three teams to work simultaneously to stay on schedule. Additionally, holiday staffing required early coordination and planning to ensure labor coverage during Christmas and New Year’s.

Final Results

The project was completed on time and budget. The refreshed lockers now reflect the school’s updated branding and make a strong visual impact. Feedback from staff and students was overwhelmingly positive, and no issues were reported related to paint odor or surface quality.

Crown Point High School – Lockers Project Photos