Apex completed project
Full Industrial Refurbishment — Former Travis Perkins Site — Leeds
Apex Specialist Spray Coatings Ltd was appointed to undertake the comprehensive refurbishment of two industrial buildings at a former Travis Perkins site in Leeds. The objective was to replace the tired and inconsistent appearance with a coordinated, contemporary colour scheme while addressing areas of coating failure, corrosion and damage across the property.
The scope included the external cladding, trims, fascias, guttering, downpipes, roller shutters, fire-exit doors, perimeter fencing, entrance gates, safety barriers and protective posts. Internally, the works extended to three structural steel beams and the existing breeze-block walls. Careful preparation and the correct coating specification were essential to deliver a consistent, professionally presented finish across the different substrates.
LocationLeeds
Building typeFormer builders’ merchant comprising two industrial and commercial buildings
ServiceComplete industrial building refurbishment, cladding spraying and protective coating works
Coating systemThe coating specification incorporated a 2K epoxy primer on prepared areas requiring priming, followed by a Selemix Direct two-pack polyurethane finishing system on the relevant external and metal substrates. Rust protection was applied to prepared areas of corrosion before priming. The interior breeze-block walls were finished separately in Brilliant White using a suitable masonry coating, applied by roller to work the material thoroughly into the porous blockwork, joints and recessed areas.
ColoursRAL 7037 Dusty Grey · RAL 9005 Jet Black · RAL 1023 Traffic Yellow · Brilliant White
Before work began
Original condition
The buildings presented a heavily weathered and dated appearance following years of commercial use. The external surfaces had accumulated dirt, grime and contamination, while sections of the existing paintwork were loose, peeling and no longer suitable to receive a new coating without remedial preparation.
Previous signage and mechanical fixings had left numerous holes and surface defects within the cladding. Areas of the structural steelwork, safety barriers and protective posts also displayed corrosion, flaking coatings and uneven surfaces. These defects required systematic treatment to prevent them from affecting the adhesion, appearance and uniformity of the completed coating system.
The Apex standard
Preparation
Preparation began with the careful removal of the former signage and redundant fixings. The external surfaces were then chemically cleaned and pressure washed to remove accumulated dirt, grime and contamination that could have compromised coating adhesion.
Loose and flaking paint was removed before the remaining coating edges were sanded and feathered to eliminate prominent transitions. Holes left by the previous signage were filled, levelled and sanded to reinstate a more uniform surface.
Corroded areas were mechanically prepared by grinding away rust and unsound coatings. Rust treatment was applied where required, followed by primer to establish a suitable foundation for the finishing system. Primed areas were sanded to correct imperfections and improve the quality of the final appearance.
Doors, concrete surfaces and surrounding areas were carefully masked and protected before coating application commenced. This preparation ensured that the new coatings were applied to clean, stable and appropriately prepared substrates.
Completed finish
The result
The completed refurbishment has established a clean, coordinated and distinctly modern appearance across the entire site. RAL 7037 Dusty Grey provides a professional and understated finish to the main cladding elevations, while the contrasting RAL 9005 Jet Black detailing creates definition across the trims, rainwater goods, doors, shutters, fencing and structural elements.
The RAL 1023 Traffic Yellow safety barriers remain highly visible while their precisely finished Jet Black tops integrate them into the wider colour scheme. Internally, the Brilliant White walls create a noticeably cleaner and brighter environment, complemented by the refurbished black structural steelwork.
The result is a comprehensive industrial transformation rather than a simple colour change. Every element now contributes to a consistent commercial identity, leaving the former Travis Perkins premises professionally presented and prepared for their next stage of use.
