Shop slatwall painting, Stafford

What did the customer need?

The customer needed a bright yellow shop unit turned into a clean, neutral space, fast. The unit had been a fancy dress and costume shop, and every wall was lined with yellow plastic slatwall, the grooved panelling shops use to hang shelves and hooks. They wanted the slatwall kept, as it's useful for whoever moves in next, but the yellow had to go.

What condition was it in?

The panels were sound, but the bright yellow and the shiny plastic surface made them tricky to paint. Years of shop use had left handling marks and dust in the grooves, and there were old signage strips fixed along the top of the walls. Bare plastic is smooth and non-porous, so ordinary emulsion has nothing to grip and will scratch or peel off. A strong yellow like this also tends to grin through white paint if it isn't properly blocked.

What preparation was needed?

The preparation was all about getting paint to stick to plastic. This was a Refresh because the panels were in good order and only needed cleaning, keying and priming, with no repairs or stripping.

Which paints and materials were used?

I used a Zinsser primer to make the paint stick, then a contract matt topcoat. Zinsser makes specialist primers for difficult surfaces like plastic, tiles and gloss; they grip where normal paint won't and also stop a strong colour like this yellow showing through. For the finish I used a white contract matt, a trade emulsion that goes on quickly and evenly over large areas, which suits a vacant unit being got ready for a new occupier.

What was the result?

The unit went from bright yellow to clean white in 4 days. The slatwall is still fully usable, so the next occupier can hang shelving and displays straight away. The white also bounces far more light around the shop, which makes the long, narrow floor plan feel bigger and brighter. Because the panels were keyed and primed properly, the paint is bonded to the plastic rather than just sitting on top of it.

Questions about this job