Workshop Repaint, Epoxy Flooring and Masonry/Brick Painting – Clayton

Project Overview

This project in Clayton was one of the most dramatic transformations in our portfolio. The scope included a comprehensive workshop repaint with epoxy flooring and painting of all masonry and brick surfaces. Before we started, the space was a large open workshop with raw exposed red brick walls, a filthy bare concrete slab floor, and old black insulation batts hanging from the exposed steel roof trusses. The business owner wanted to take it from a tired, neglected space to a professional working environment — and that is exactly what we delivered.

Clayton is a busy suburb in Melbourne’s south-east with a strong mix of commercial and industrial properties. Businesses here rely on functional, well-maintained premises. A tired workshop affects everything from staff morale to how clients and suppliers perceive the business. A well-maintained space is also safer — better visibility reduces accident risks and a sealed, easy-to-clean floor makes it simpler to maintain good housekeeping standards.

Site Assessment and Planning

We inspected all masonry and brick walls, the concrete floor and every other element in scope. The raw red brick walls had never been painted and would require specific preparation for a first-time paint application on brick. The concrete slab was worn, pitted and heavily stained with oil and chemical residue from years of workshop use. Car lifts and workshop bays were in the space, and a glass-fronted office and reception area on one side of the workshop would also be included in the repaint.

We discussed the findings with the business owner and developed a detailed plan. The order of work was important — wall painting first while the floor remained accessible, then the epoxy as the final stage. The client had a clear vision for the colour scheme: a two-tone treatment on the brick walls with white and light grey on the upper half above dado height and dark charcoal grey on the lower half. The glass-fronted office and reception area would be painted in dark grey to match. This was going to be a significant transformation.

Masonry and Brick Wall Preparation

Preparing raw brick for first-time painting requires thorough work. We pressure washed all brick walls at high pressure to remove accumulated dirt, dust, grease and oil. Workshop walls accumulate years of grime and oil splatter that must be completely removed for paint to bond properly. Once clean and dry, we inspected each section and repaired cracks with cement-based compound and repointed any deteriorated mortar joints. We checked for rising damp or active moisture issues.

On unpainted brick, the porous surface absorbs paint heavily, so preparation and priming is even more important than on previously painted surfaces. We wire brushed away any loose material and made sure every surface was clean and stable before moving on.

Masonry and Brick Painting

We applied a quality masonry sealer primer to all brick walls. On raw brick this primer does critical work — penetrating into the porous surface to create a strong bond and acting as a moisture barrier. Without proper sealer primer on unpainted brick, you can use multiple coats of topcoat and still end up with patchy coverage because the brick continues to absorb the paint unevenly.

The two-tone colour scheme was applied with two full coats of premium masonry paint. The upper walls above dado height received the white and light grey, while the lower section was painted in the dark charcoal grey. A clean, straight line at the transition point was essential — we taped and cut in carefully to achieve a precise horizontal band across all walls. The glass-fronted office and reception area was painted in the same dark grey to create a cohesive look.

We worked methodically across every surface, ensuring full coverage on the textured brick — every face and mortar joint properly painted. Our painters checked coverage from multiple angles because thin spots on textured brick show up when the light catches them.

The wall transformation alone was dramatic. Raw exposed red brick — dark, dirty and industrial — became a clean, modern two-tone scheme that completely changed the feel of the space. The white upper walls reflected light back into the workshop while the dark charcoal lower band provided a practical, forgiving surface at working height where marks and contact are inevitable.

Concrete Floor Preparation

Preparing the concrete floor for epoxy was the most time-consuming stage and also the most critical. The success of an epoxy floor depends almost entirely on surface preparation. The old slab was in poor condition — worn, pitted and deeply stained with oil and chemical residue.

We cleaned the entire surface using degreasing agents and mechanical cleaning. Some oil stains had penetrated deep into the porous concrete and needed multiple treatments. Then we diamond ground the entire floor, removing the top layer to expose a fresh, porous surface for the epoxy to bond to. This also levelled irregularities and created the ideal profile for coating adhesion.

After grinding, cracks and surface damage were repaired with epoxy-based filler, cured and ground flush. The floor was vacuumed and wiped to remove all dust. We also conducted a moisture test to confirm the slab was dry enough for the epoxy system.

Epoxy Floor Application

We applied a high-performance industrial-grade epoxy system — three layers, each with a specific purpose. The primer coat penetrates into the concrete for a strong chemical bond. The base coat provides colour, thickness and primary protection. The topcoat adds a final protective layer and the desired finish.

The client chose a smooth mid-grey gloss finish — and the result was striking. The epoxy surface was highly reflective, giving the workshop a completely professional appearance. The satin-gloss finish provides good slip resistance while still looking clean and modern. The contrast between the old filthy concrete slab and the new glossy grey epoxy floor was one of the most dramatic before-and-after comparisons we have ever delivered.

The completed epoxy floor is extremely durable — resistant to impact, abrasion and heavy loads. Chemical resistant, protecting concrete from oil, fuel and cleaning products. Seamless and easy to clean. Spills that once soaked in and left permanent stains now wipe up in seconds. The business owner commented that the floor alone made the biggest difference to daily operations — end-of-day cleaning went from a difficult job to a quick and simple process.

Managing the Work Schedule

The project was staged so the business could maintain partial operations. Walls were completed first while the floor remained accessible. The epoxy went down last with clear guidance on curing times so the client could plan accordingly.

Safety and Compliance

Strict safety standards throughout. Chemical cleaning products, grinding equipment and epoxy coatings all require appropriate measures. Full PPE, proper ventilation during epoxy application and Safe Work Method Statements submitted before starting.

The Final Result

This was one of the most dramatic transformations in our entire portfolio. The before and after was extraordinary — from a raw, dark, neglected workshop with exposed red brick, a filthy concrete floor and old insulation hanging from the ceiling, to a clean, professional space with a striking two-tone wall scheme and a polished grey epoxy floor. With the car lifts and workshop bays visible in the finished space, it looked like a high-end automotive workshop.

The dark charcoal lower walls and matching glass-fronted office created a cohesive, branded look. The white upper walls bounced light around the space. The glossy epoxy floor pulled everything together. The business owner was very happy and said the improvements had completely changed the working environment. Staff responded positively too.

The products used are all industrial-grade — formulated for the demands of a working workshop. The masonry paint handles impacts, abrasion and chemical exposure. The epoxy floor is designed for heavy loads and constant use. These are performance coatings built for real-world conditions.

The glass-fronted office and reception area on one side of the workshop was repainted in the dark charcoal grey to match the lower wall band, creating a cohesive look between the office and the working area. This attention to the colour scheme throughout the space — not just the main workshop walls — is what gave the finished project its professional, intentional appearance. The car lifts and workshop bays visible in the completed space looked like they belonged in a high-end automotive workshop rather than the tired, neglected space we had started with.

The contrast between the before and after on this project was one of the most dramatic we have ever delivered. From raw, dark, exposed brick with a filthy concrete floor and old insulation hanging from the ceiling, to a clean, modern space with a striking two-tone scheme and a polished reflective floor. The business owner said it changed not just the look of the space but how the team felt about coming to work. That is the kind of result that makes a project truly worthwhile.

Get in Touch

At Ace Team Painting, we have the skills to deliver workshop and industrial projects to the highest standard. Masonry painting, epoxy flooring, full fit-out repaints — professional results built to perform. Over 15 years of experience across Melbourne’s south-east. Contact us for a free quote.

Whether it is a small workshop, a large warehouse or an industrial facility, we approach every project with the same attention to detail. We understand that commercial and industrial spaces have different demands to residential properties and we tailor our products, techniques and scheduling accordingly. If your workspace does not reflect the standard you want for your business, we can help you change that.