From residential projects to retail shops and city landmarks, our experience in the architectural industry is rich and varied. Last month, we completed yet another exciting architectural painting project—large skylight frames for one of the most successful tech companies in the world.
Framing the California sunshine
We were hired by local, Everett-based manufacturer CrystaLite to paint the skylight frames for their client. Made of either 100 percent aluminum or a combination of PVC and aluminum, CrystaLite’s skylights come in a variety of sizes and styles—such as domed, venting, and tubular. The painting stage of the manufacturing process occurs prior to installation of the glass within the frames. In this instance, the frames were a custom design and quite sizeable, spanning nearly the entire length of our large paint booth.
Despite being a relatively straightforward painting project, the size and shape of the frames meant they couldn’t be stacked into trucks for delivery. Instead, they needed to be delivered and unloaded individually, requiring a bit more planning and manpower up front. Once arranged in our paint booths, however, we were able to hit the ground running.
After some pre-painting prep, we primed the frames with an epoxy primer. For the top coat, we used a high solids polyurethane paint from Cardinal, a local company based in Woodinville. The paint, Cardinal 6407 in “shell white,” is formulated to provide high-performance protection while retaining color and gloss over time. Cardinal’s 6400 series is also designed to meet strict air quality requirements without losing its durability and high-gloss finish.
PROJECT STAGES
Pre-painting prep
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Priming with an epoxy primer
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Applying the top coat
After painting was complete, the frames were sent back to CrystaLite for final assembly before being shipped to California for installation.
Enduring Performance
Painting architectural pieces for retail shops, public buildings and corporate offices requires meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. It also demands an experienced team that understands industry regulations and how different coatings perform in different conditions.
Whether it’s window frames, exterior façades, hand railings, or another widely-seen architectural component, these pieces must be blemish-free and maintain quality for decades. With more than 70 years of industry experience, we’re happy to advise our customers on the best approach for their custom architectural projects.
With seven paint booths, the largest spanning 6,000 square feet, we can accommodate your most sizeable architectural painting projects.