Commercial restoration case study
Walmart concrete restoration across the GTA.
Removing the cause of peeling paint. Restoring the finish at Walmart locations across the Greater Toronto Area.
Our Concrete Coating Restoration Service
- Properties
- Walmart locations
- Region
- Greater Toronto Area
- Approximate duration
- 5-7 days
- Reported project range
- $7,500-$12,000 CAD
Approximate figures for the restoration scope described here. Pricing and schedules for other properties depend on the scope and site conditions.
What did Sigma restore?
Sigma Painting restored peeling exterior concrete coatings at Walmart locations across the Greater Toronto Area. The work addressed an old bituminous layer beneath the paint: existing coatings were stripped, the tar-like layer was pressure washed away, and the clean concrete was primed and finished with two coats of paint.
This was a coating restoration project on exterior concrete wall panels. The work went beyond a cosmetic repaint: the failed layers had to come off before the replacement primer and paint could be applied to the concrete.
The problem was beneath the paint.
During the original construction, an old bituminous coating had been applied directly over the concrete. This tar-like layer remained underneath later applications of primer and paint.
In these projects, the conventional coatings did not bond well to that underlying layer. Over time, the paint and primer began to fail and peel away.
Repainting the visible patches would have left the same weak base underneath. Sigma's restoration therefore focused on removing the existing paint, primer and bituminous material before rebuilding the coating system.
From failing layers to a fresh finish.
A documented sequence of stripping, coating removal, priming and repainting. The approximately 24-hour covered stripping periods were a significant part of the preparation.
During stripping: plastic covers the treated wall panels. Strip the existing paint and primer
Several applications of Smart Strip Pro softened the layers of existing paint and primer. Each application was covered with plastic for approximately 24 hours to keep the stripper from drying and allow it to penetrate the coatings. The softened material was then scraped away.
After coating removal: the concrete surface is exposed. Remove the underlying bituminous layer
Removing the paint and primer exposed the original tar-like coating. After the surface was allowed to dry, commercial-grade pressure washing removed the remaining bituminous layer. This addressed the underlying adhesion problem before a new coating system was applied.
Primer stage: white panels are ready for the finish system. Prime the prepared concrete
The clean concrete was primed with Loxon Water Blocking Primer. The white panels in the progress photographs show this preparation stage, before the blue finish coats were applied.
Completed work: restored panels finished in the blue requested by the client. Apply two finish coats
Two coats of Sherwin-Williams paint completed the restoration in the specific blue requested by the client. Painting was limited to the agreed area; the weathered paint above and below remained outside the scope.
This describes the work performed on these projects, not a universal application specification. Product selection, dwell periods, preparation and recoating requirements must be assessed for each surface.
Products, time and project cost
- Smart Strip Pro
- Used in repeated applications to soften and remove the existing layers of paint and primer.
- Loxon Water Blocking Primer
- Applied to the clean concrete before the finish coats.
- Sherwin-Williams paint
- Two finish coats completed the restored surface.
The full restoration process took approximately 5-7 days, with a reported project cost range of $7,500-$12,000 CAD. The preparation explains much of the scope: several stripping applications, scraping, drying, bituminous coating removal, priming and two finish coats.
For another property, the affected area, number of coating layers, access and surface condition all need to be assessed. These figures are an example of this work, not a standard price or schedule.
More about our work with Sherwin-WilliamsThe finished result
The treated panels returned to a consistent blue finish. Beneath that finish, the old paint, primer and bituminous layer had been removed so the new coating system could be applied to the prepared concrete.
More views from the projects
A similar problem at your building?
Repeated peeling on concrete calls for an assessment of the existing coating system. Sigma offers commercial concrete coating restoration across the GTA, alongside commercial painting and retail painting.
Project account and photographs supplied by Sigma Painting. Walmart is identified as the project location; no endorsement is implied.
Questions about the work
Why does the restored blue look darker?
The restored area was painted in the specific blue requested by the client. Only this area was included in the work. The paint above and below was left untouched and has faded with sun exposure, making the fresh blue appear darker beside the weathered finish.
What caused the paint to peel at these Walmart locations?
Sigma identified an old bituminous coating applied directly to the concrete during original construction. In these projects, the tar-like layer did not provide a sound base for the conventional primers and paints applied over it, and those coatings eventually failed.
Why did Sigma remove the old coating instead of repainting over it?
A fresh coat would have left the underlying adhesion problem in place. Sigma removed the existing paint, primer and bituminous layer before priming the clean concrete and applying two finish coats.
How long did the restoration take?
The documented restoration process took approximately 5-7 days. Repeated stripping applications, approximately 24-hour covered dwell periods, drying, pressure washing, priming and painting all formed part of that sequence.
What was the project cost?
The reported project cost range was approximately $7,500-$12,000 CAD for the restoration scope described here. Other properties require an assessment of their affected area, existing coatings, access and preparation requirements before a quote can be provided.
Which products were used?
The project used Smart Strip Pro to remove existing paint and primer, Loxon Water Blocking Primer on the prepared concrete, and two finish coats of Sherwin-Williams paint.
Peeling concrete at your property?
Tell us where the coating is failing. Share the property location, a few photos, the approximate affected area and any access requirements. We'll assess the work and prepare a written estimate.