When the Research Lab Can’t Stop, Neither Can You

Painting in an active research facility is not simply a matter of scheduling a crew and applying color. At Gladstone Institutes, a world-renowned independent biomedical research organization in San Francisco, every decision on this project had to account for one non-negotiable constraint: the laboratories could not be disrupted.

CertaPro Painters of San Francisco was brought in to restore and protect the mechanical infrastructure that keeps Gladstone operating — specifically Air Handling Units (AHU) #3 and AHU #4. What followed was a project defined not just by skilled craftsmanship, but by methodical planning, technical product expertise, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving that the client had simply never encountered before.

The Challenge: Work with the Science, Not Against It

For the Gladstone Facility Department, the goal was straightforward in concept, but complex in execution: get the air handling units back into service without impacting the laboratory spaces they support. AHUs are critical building systems — they regulate air quality, temperature and circulation throughout the facility. Any unplanned downtime would ripple directly into active research.

Complicating matters, the units themselves presented significant surface challenges with rust accumulation on metal siding, doors, interior posts and floors. A durable, lasting solution would require proper surface preparation and a paint system engineered to perform in a demanding environment. The coating applications required precise temperature and humidity conditions.

The project was also shaped by San Francisco’s unpredictable early-spring weather. Rust-converting primers and industrial-grade coatings require temperatures above 50°F — including overnight — to cure correctly. February and March can be problematic windows, which meant the schedule needed to be built around the forecast, not the calendar.

Why CertaPro Painters of San Francisco

Frank Rivas, Chief Engineer, first became aware of CertaPro Painters of San Francisco through Rose Titcomb, Commercial Marketing Associate, whose professionalism on LinkedIn caught his attention. How Rose engaged with her work and community, made him curious to get her approach.

When questions arose that required deeper technical expertise, Rose connected Frank directly with George Irving, Franchise Owner, whose years of experience in commercial and industrial painting provided the answers and confidence the project needed.

“Knowing the questions that Rose couldn’t answer, having a resource like George Irving with years of experience — that made the difference.”

Though Frank had some familiarity with CertaPro Painters from the residential side, the Gladstone project was his first experience with their commercial and industrial capabilities. It would not be the last.

Planning That Earned Trust

Before a single brush touched a surface, CertaPro’s team walked the site with the Gladstone facilities staff to map out every potential challenge. Project lead Luis joined the initial walkthrough specifically to brainstorm solutions to foreseeable obstacles — a proactive step that immediately distinguished CertaPro from contractors Frank had worked with in the past.

“Other painters, when challenges were presented, didn’t have options on how to solve them,” Frank noted. “Luis came and walked the site and brainstormed options to resolve any possible challenges in advance.”

That approach — arriving prepared to think, not just to paint — set the tone for everything that followed.

One standout moment came when the team introduced Frank to the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the specified products. Understanding the temperature and humidity requirements for the Rust Destroyer primer and the Pro Industrial DTM finish coat wasn’t just a technical formality; it was the foundation of the project schedule. The team used weather forecasts to determine precise application windows, coordinating AHU #3 for late March and AHU #4 for April to align with conditions that would support proper curing.

The phased approach also allowed the team to work within Gladstone’s ongoing in-house remodel schedule, minimizing interference with the facility’s engineering staff and their existing work.

Industrial Precision for a Research Environment

The scope of work covered AHU #3 and AHU #4 in full: exterior metal siding, doors, the interior structural posts in Rooms 1 and 2, and the floors of those rooms. Each surface type received a product system selected for its specific performance requirements.

For metal exterior surfaces and interior posts, the specification called for Rust Destroyer by Advanced Protective Products as the primer — a rust-converting formula that neutralizes existing oxidation and provides a bonded base for finish coats. Two spot prime coats were applied to affected areas before the finish coat of Sherwin-Williams Pro Industrial DTM Acrylic in a Semi-Gloss finish, applied in two full coats for lasting protection and a clean, professional appearance.

For the interior floors, the team specified Sherwin-Williams Macropoxy 646, a high-performance polyamide epoxy designed for industrial environments. Applied over the Rust Destroyer primer, the epoxy system delivers a durable, chemical-resistant floor surface capable of holding up under the demands of an active mechanical space.

The result was a complete, layered paint system — not just a cosmetic refresh, but a corrosion-management strategy designed to extend the life of the equipment and protect the facility’s infrastructure for years ahead.

On the Job: Professionalism That Showed

When the crew arrived on-site, they did so with the professionalism Frank had been told to expect — and then some. The CertaPro team checked in and out each day, a detail Frank cited specifically as meaningful.

“They checked in and out — that’s huge,” he said. “Punctuality. Professionalism. Skill. They respected the in-house engineers’ work that had already been done.”

That last point matters in a facility like Gladstone, where the buildings and systems engineering team that includes Senior Engineer Bradley, Site Engineer Marco, Facility John Gray and Facility Safety, Codi Li have an active portfolio of maintenance and renovation projects. A painting contractor who arrives without awareness of what others have already built or repaired is a liability. CertaPro’s crew treated the existing work with care, integrating seamlessly with the facility’s ongoing operations rather than creating additional coordination burdens.

The Outcome: Results That Speak for Themselves

Both air handling units were restored on schedule and returned to service without disruption to the laboratory spaces below. The rust was addressed, the surfaces were properly prepared, and the paint systems were applied under the precise conditions required for long-term performance.

For Frank Rivas, the experience of working with CertaPro Painters of San Francisco stood apart from other painting vendors in a clear and meaningful way.

When asked whether he would work with CertaPro Painters again, his answer was immediate: “God willing.” And when asked whether he would recommend them to peers in facility management: Yes — without hesitation.

Manage a commercial facility in the San Francisco Bay Area? CertaPro Painters of San Francisco specializes in commercial painting projects that demand precision, coordination, and minimal disruption to operations. Contact us to discuss your next project.