Recent Project St. Louis Park Commercial Facade Refresh for Master Spas Master Spas in St. Louis Park required a commercial exterior update for their home store expansion into an adjacent cinder block building. The existing structure exhibited deteriorating mortar joints and rusting signposts along Highway 394. Get Fresh Paint initiated Phase 1 of a complete commercial transformation, providing specialized commercial exterior painting in St. Louis Park, MN. The scope included power washing, substrate priming, custom color matching, and rust treatment for exterior metals. Key Takeaways THE CHALLENGEDeteriorating mortar on a block building, rusted highway signposts, and strict scheduling around active retail operations. THE COATINGPower washed block, primed with Loxon XP, applied custom 75% Charcoal mix, and sealed metal signposts with Tricorn Black DTM. THE RESULTA weather-sealed block building and restored highway signage tailored to corporate brand standards. Because the expanded retail building sits along the Highway 394 corridor, the exterior needed to support Master Spas’ brand standards while also sealing the porous block from moisture. The failing mortar and rusted metal elements made this more than a cosmetic repaint Project Summary Client Profile: Master Spas Home Store Project Location: St. Louis Park, MN Primary Objective: Seal block masonry and match brand colors using commercial building painting services. Substrate Prep: Power washing, tuck pointing, Loxon XP primer, 75% Charcoal acrylic blend, and Sherwin-Williams DTM Tricorn Black. Key Outcome: Weatherproof block envelope, custom brand color match, and rust-inhibited metal signposts. Evaluating Cinder Block and Signage in St. Louis Park Commercial cinder block buildings absorb water if unsealed, leading to moisture wicking, interior drywall degradation, and mold growth. Inspection revealed cracking mortar joints across the expansion space, along with heavy surface rust on the front signposts and entrance handrails. Because the retail store remained open during construction, the project required strict operational scheduling to prevent paint overspray on customer vehicles and maintain safe access to entry doors. Executing Substrate Prep and Custom Color Formulations Our team began Phase 1 by power washing the cinder block surfaces to strip dirt and loose material. After a masonry contractor completed tuck pointing on damaged mortar joints, painters spot-primed bare block using Sherwin-Williams Loxon XP primer. "We settled on a Sherwin color called charcoal... doing a 75% mixture of charcoal to accomplish the color to meet a corporate color." - (Jon, Get Fresh Paint) To meet precise corporate branding guidelines, Get Fresh Paint formulated a custom 75% Charcoal mix. On rusted signposts and entry handrails, painters ground off surface rust, applied a rust-inhibiting primer, and finished with two coats of Sherwin-Williams Direct to Metal (DTM) paint in Tricorn Black. All commercial projects are completed by our skilled paint crew under full insurance protection. Delivering Brand Consistency and Weather Protection Phase 1 established a fully weather-sealed block substrate and restored high-visibility metal signage along the Highway 394 business corridor. The custom 75% Charcoal blend matched corporate standards, giving the expanded retail facility a unified look. Coordinating work hours and scheduling frequent hydration breaks during extreme summer heat ensured painter safety while maintaining business accessibility for retail customers. Upgrade Your Commercial Property Exterior We deliver comprehensive commercial painting solutions for retail, office, and industrial facilities across the Twin Cities metro area. Our teams work around your operating schedule to minimize disruption. Planning a commercial exterior refresh in St. Louis Park? Request a free estimate or contact our office today. Get Fresh Paint Golden Valley, MN 55422 Call 612-325-1409 or Schedule Online Frequently Asked Questions Why is tuck pointing necessary before painting commercial cinder block? Tuck pointing replaces cracked or missing mortar between block units. Repairing mortar prior to painting prevents water from penetrating the wall assembly, which can cause interior wall damage and paint peeling. How do commercial painters paint rusted metal signposts and handrails? Painters wire-brush or grind away loose surface rust, apply a specialized rust-inhibiting primer to stop corrosion, and finish with two coats of industrial Direct to Metal (DTM) acrylic paint for long-term weather resistance. How do commercial painting crews avoid disrupting active retail stores? Crews schedule high-exposure exterior work during low-traffic hours, use protective vehicle masking, set up safety barriers around pedestrian entryways, and coordinate daily with site managers to maintain continuous store access.