1.1 Million Square Foot Distribution Center

CHALLENGES:

Challenge #1: Medline operates 24/7 with 143 dock bay doors which are occupied by large semi-trucks constantly moving in and out throughout the day and night.

The pre-production plan consisted of mapping out a specific schedule of areas to be completed each day.  This required a tight understanding of exactly how much painting could be completed by the Seven man crew in 24 and 48 hours period.  Equipment included using two 85’ boom lifts for a majority of the project and a 135’ boom lift for a portion of the project.  We also used a truck and flat bed trailer to carry the gas sprayers, paint containers, and additional equipment needed.  600’ of paint hoses and 400’ of water hoses were also used.

Challenge #2:   Wind

In California, weather does not affect painting project often, but with this project high winds were an obstacle in being able to safely use the Boom lifts and caused unpredictable delays.

Challenge #3: The bright blue color was exhibiting chalking and fading within just a year or two of being painted.

There are several reasons for this pre-mature fading at Medline.

ULTRA DEEP BASE PAINTS: To create bright colors, such as blues, reds, green and yellows, along with very dark colors such as blacks, charcoals and dark browns, paint companies need to use what’s called commonly called an “ultra deep base” paint to obtain the bright vibrant colors.  Ultra Deep Base paints lack the component Titanium Dioxide (which is white in nature) that make the paint cover well (opaque).  Ultra Deep Base Paints when opened (prior to adding tint) are more similar to a clear acrylic and lack the normal bright white color that you normally see in primers and paints..  For example, if you were to add red tint to a extra white paint base,  you would only ever achieve a pink color, and never a vibrant bright red color such as an apple.  These ultra deep base paints lack any protection against premature fading.

CONCRETE/MASONRY/LEACHING: Apply an ultra deep color to large flat masonry surfaces will also exacerbates the natural chalking that occurs on masonry.  Over time, as it is exposed to the elements, concrete masonry leeches particles (looks like white dust) to its surface which travels through the paint to the paint surface.  It appears as a white chalk or dust that sits on top of the paint, and can be mistaken for fading.  Power washing yearly can help reduce the chalking effects and clean the surface to help revive the color.