Cladding Preparation & Recoating- In Partnership with Strachan & Kemp Commercial Services
When DHL’s facility at Glasgow Airport required a full external cladding refurbishment, StoneClean was brought in as the specialist cleaning and preparation contractor, working alongside Strachan & Kemp Commercial Services to deliver the complete programme.
The project ran over 2.5 weeks and covered everything from deep cleaning and surface preparation through to supporting the application of a high-performance coating system. Here’s how we approached it.
The Challenge
Years of atmospheric contamination and organic growth including algae had taken hold across the building’s external cladding. Before any recoating could take place, those contaminants needed to be removed thoroughly and safely, without damaging the substrate or leaving anything behind that could compromise the new coating’s adhesion.
This wasn’t a job for a pressure washer. It required a methodical, substrate-sensitive approach from the outset.
Specialist Cleaning with the DOFF Steam System
We used the DOFF Integra Steam Cleaning System throughout the cleaning phase delivering superheated water at high temperature and low pressure. This method is highly effective at lifting ingrained contamination without the aggressive impact of high-pressure washing, which can damage surfaces and force moisture into the substrate.
The DOFF process removed:
- Organic growth and biological matter, including algae
- Atmospheric pollution deposits
- Surface contaminants and general environmental soiling
Once cleaning was complete, surfaces were allowed to dry fully before the next phase began.
Surface Preparation
With the cladding clean, we moved into mechanical preparation, scraping and light sanding to remove any loose or degraded material and create a sound, stable base for the new coating.
Exposed galvanised sections required additional treatment to ensure long-term coating adhesion:
- Cleaned and degreased using Rustoleum ND14 Cleaner and Degreaser
- Rinsed thoroughly
- Etched using Rustoleum Surfa-Etch 108 Acid Etching Solution to promote adhesion
This preparation stage is critical. A coating is only as good as the surface it’s applied to, getting this right was the foundation of the whole project.
Recoating Works
With preparation complete, Strachan & Kemp Commercial Services carried out the recoating programme. A Rustoleum Pegalink Universal Adhesion Primer was applied to the galvanised steel, followed by two coats of Rustoleum Noxyde Plus in the specified colour.
The recoating covered:
- Front and side elevations
- Window ingoes
- Ledges
- Door frames
The Noxyde Plus system provides high-performance corrosion resistance and long-term weather protection, significantly extending the lifespan of the cladding.
Safe Access and Compliance
Working at height on a building of this scale required a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP), operated throughout by an IPAF-certified operative.
The full programme was delivered in compliance with CDM 2015 regulations, supported by:
- Site-specific RAMS
- Dynamic risk assessments
- Client permit-to-work systems
- Ongoing health and safety monitoring throughout
Weather conditions were monitored closely across the programme, particularly during the coating phase, where temperature and moisture levels directly affect application quality and long-term performance.
The Outcome
The DHL Glasgow Airport facility now has a fully restored external envelope, clean, uniform, and protected with a high-performance coating system designed to last.
This project is a good example of how specialist cleaning and preparation underpins everything in cladding refurbishment. The recoating looks great because the groundwork was done properly. That’s the StoneClean standard on every project.
| Result Specialist steam cleaning, thorough surface preparation, and high-performance coating application, delivered on time, in full compliance, and to a standard that protects the building for the long term. |