Floor and wall murals – especially when exposed to the elements – can be problematic to protect in the long term. When this is in a public space, the challenge is dramatically increased.
Shimicoat – a global leader in advanced epoxy and polyurethane products – was delighted to be approached by Perth’s Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and tasked with providing sealer protection for one of the city’s most iconic decorative projects.
The Asset
The artwork that required protection was an aboriginal art project located in one of Perth’s most famous locations – King’s Park Lookout. The newly commissioned work of art is named simply, MURAL, and covers an extensive area of concrete. At 250 square metres, which included a flight of stairs, this floor art will experience significant traffic, so robust protection that didn’t mute the wonderful colours and pattern was imperative.
The Challenges
Being in a public outdoor space, the most important aspect was that any protective coating needed to be completely safe for humans and any wildlife that came in contact with it.
It would also need to be incredibly tough, as King’s Park Lookout receives in excess of 6 million visitors per year. While the area of the mural is pedestrianised, self-propelled wheeled traffic, such as push bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, prams and strollers will also add to the stress. Because the surface would be exposed to the elements, it would also need to be non-slip in all conditions.
Of course, the coating needed to be wholly transparent, so as not to mute the colours and shading in any way. It also needed to provide a totally smooth finish that could also be applied to the stair risers, as well as providing an easy-clean surface that required minimal maintenance.
The Solution
The decision was made to use an industrial-strength acrylic sealer with a matte finish to protect the mural. The benefits of using this product included:
- It provides a smooth, self-levelling coating that can be applied to both the flat surface and the stair risers.
- The nature of the acrylic sealer leaves no gaps or crevices where dirt and bacteria can gather and multiply.
- It’s completely transparent, showcasing the beauty of the mural below.
- The surface is tough and easy to maintain. It can be jet washed periodically without damage and withstand most chemicals and cleaning products.
- It has incredible longevity, removing the need for overly regular re-application.
- The protection dries very quickly, meaning there was no need for an extended closure of the mural and park area.
- Once dry, the surface is completely non-toxic – it’s APAS-certified (Australian Paint Association approved) and conforms to ISO Accredited Manufacturing 9001 standards.
The application was a two-step process:
- Surface preparation: The surface was thoroughly cleaned. This involved light water cleaning, intensive vacuuming and a blow out to remove all debris. The mural had been newly painted, so extreme care was taken during this stage to ensure the integrity of the artwork.
- Product application: The team applied three coats of the acrylic sealer in total. This multi-layered system was applied by hand. Because the product is a quick-cure formula, there was minimal delay between coatings. A matte finish was chosen to best showcase the mural below. In addition, the anti-slip formula of the sealer meant that the necessary health & safety features for a public space were met.
The result was a highly durable, non-slip, cost-effective, functional and modern finish that met all of the Botanic Parks and Garden Authority’s requirements.
This is just one example of how Shimicoat products are being used for a wide variety of floor coating projects. From epoxy kits to coating materials and surface treatments, the company leads the way in cutting-edge flooring and surface solutions.
Discover more about acrylic sealing solutions for the toughest of outdoor and indoor protection.
