Strata & Body Corporate Painting in Cairns - Palm Cove Project

Painting a strata or body corporate property can be quite different from repainting a private home. There are often shared areas, residents to work around, public access, safety requirements and multiple surfaces that need to be completed while keeping disruption to a minimum.

I recently completed a five-day exterior painting project at a residential complex in Palm Cove, repainting the front boundary walls and extensive metal fencing.

The project is a good example of the type of strata and body corporate painting work I can undertake throughout Cairns and the Northern Beaches.

The Project

The front boundary of the complex included a long rendered masonry wall combined with extensive metal fencing and several gates.

After years of exposure to the tropical conditions of Far North Queensland, the existing coatings were showing their age. There were rust spots on sections of the metal fencing, peeling paint and coating failure in several areas, while parts of the rendered walls also required repairs and preparation before repainting.

Rather than simply applying another coat of paint, the project required preparation and repairs before the new coatings could be applied.

Before photo showing peeling paint around the mailbox wall.

Surface Preparation

Good preparation is particularly important for exterior surfaces in Cairns and Palm Cove, where strong sun, high humidity and heavy wet-season rainfall can be hard on painted surfaces.

Loose and peeling coatings were removed where required. Rust-affected sections of the metal fencing were prepared and spot primed before repainting, while damaged areas of the rendered walls were prepared and repaired as necessary.

The surfaces were then made ready for the new coating system.

Preparation can take a considerable part of an exterior repaint, but it is also one of the most important parts of achieving a durable result.

Close-up of the older fence showing peeling areas and rust.

Spray Painting the Metal Fencing

With such a large amount of metal fencing, spray application was used for much of the project.

Spraying is particularly effective on this style of fence because of the large number of narrow vertical sections, edges and difficult-to-reach areas. When the surrounding area is properly protected, it allows an even finish to be achieved efficiently across a large amount of detailed metalwork.

The fence received a fresh white finish, restoring the appearance of the entire street frontage.

Finished close-up of the white vertical fencing.

Masking and Property Protection

Spray painting around an established residential complex requires considerably more preparation than simply setting up the spray equipment.

Nearby rendered surfaces, pathways and other areas had to be protected from overspray. Established landscaping was also carefully covered where required.

In some areas, palms and surrounding vegetation were completely wrapped before spraying the adjacent fencing.

Drop sheets were used extensively throughout the project to protect the footpath, grass and surrounding surfaces.

Photo showing the palms, bushes and walkway completely wrapped in plastic and drop sheets

Working Around Residents and Common Areas

Strata painting also means working around people who continue to live at the property while the work is underway.

The project was completed progressively in sections so that access to the complex could be maintained and disruption to residents kept to a minimum.

Work areas were kept organised and clearly identified while painting was underway.

For body corporate and strata projects, this type of planning is just as important as the painting itself.

Working Along a Public Footpath

A large portion of the boundary was directly beside a public footpath and roadway.

Permission was obtained from Cairns Regional Council before commencing the work affecting the public area.

A site-specific safety document was also prepared for the project, addressing the work area, pedestrian access and the controls required while carrying out painting alongside the footpath.

Safety cones were positioned around the active work area and drop sheets were kept contained within the working section. The job progressed along the boundary in stages rather than unnecessarily occupying the entire footpath at once.

Wide working photo showing the cones, drop sheets, equipment and van.

The Finished Result

Once completed, the difference across the street frontage was substantial.

The freshly painted rendered walls, fencing and gates now have a consistent clean white finish, giving the entire complex a much fresher appearance from the street.

For a strata property, maintaining these common exterior areas is not only about appearance. Keeping protective coatings in good condition also helps protect the underlying surfaces from Cairns' tropical weather.

Strata & Body Corporate Painting in Cairns

Painting & Maintenance FNQ provides painting services for strata and body corporate properties in Cairns, Palm Cove, the Northern Beaches, Port Douglas and surrounding areas.

As an owner-operated painting business, I deal directly with clients from the initial inspection and quotation through to preparation and completion of the painting work.

Strata painting projects can include exterior walls, boundary walls, metal fencing and gates, common areas and other repainting and maintenance work depending on the property.

I am QBCC licensed and fully insured, and projects are quoted individually according to the condition of the property and the work required.

If your body corporate or strata property requires repainting, feel free to contact Painting & Maintenance FNQ to arrange an inspection and quotation.