Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/774279
USICERINKS.COM JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2017 / 51 2. REPAIR THE FRAME , With the frame now bare, this is the time to make repairs if needed. Two areas that require a closer inspection will be the ice-level joints between the front post and lower back section, along with the metal ribbing the netting ties onto. Joints may stress-crack due to the cold and overall harsh treatment. If there is no welder in your facility, ask around with the local parents or contact a local welding shop. 3. PAINT REMOVAL , With the goal frame solid, the next step is getting the surface ready for paint. This is a crucial step; if there is not a clean surface, the new paint will not stick or last. Surface blemishes such as black puck marks, rust and shiny surfaces found under protected padded areas will not provide a quality, long-lasting finish. There are four methods to paint removal: 1.) Wire wheel on an angle grinder 2.) Sand-blasting 3.) Hand-sanding The two most commonly used methods will be using a wire wheel or sand blaster. A knotted wire wheel on an angle grinder is very aggressive and can fully remove most paint to start fresh with bare metal in around two hours. Be sure to wear proper PPE, including a face shield, gloves, facemask and a heavy knit shirt to protect yourself. A cleaner method is utilizing a local sand-blasting company if there is one nearby. If the surface is not rusty, hand-sanding to remove the top layer of paint/powder coat will provide a suitable surface for the new paint to grip. 4. SURFACE PREP , With the paint removed or sanded down, it is best practice to hand-sand all the surfaces to scuff the bare metal and feather out any rough edges. Follow this up by cleaning the surface to be painted with some acetone on a rag. This step will remove all paint dust, grease and oils that can affect a proper paint bond. 5. PAINT SELECTION , Spray-paint has many different options. The best choice is to use a rust preventative paint with a high-gloss finish. Use a primer with a flat finish. They can both be found in the paint section at a local home improvement store. Due to the use of aerosols, it is best to paint the frames outside on a nice sunny day. Just be aware of which way the wind is blowing—no need to get paint on someone's car. The use of a drop cloth outside is recommended. 6. PAINTING , A two-tone finish is accomplished by painting the white followed by the red. With the frame face-down, apply a coat of white primer followed by two or three coats of a high-gloss white. Many light coats are stronger than one heavy, just like building ice. Be sure to overlap where the color joint will be (which leads to the next step). To make the front posts red, the white must be covered up. The best way to accomplish this is with the use of painter's tape along with some old newspapers. Clean the surface with acetone and then apply a coat of brown or red primer. Using a primer close to the finish color will provide a nicer final appearance along with not being as noticeable when the finish is chipped. Apply two to three light coats of red. When the final coat is dry, remove the paper covering it to see the finished product. As with any project, be sure to wear all the proper PPE and utilize aerosol paints in a well-ventilated space. J AS WITH ANY PROJECT, BE SURE TO WEAR ALL THE PROPER PPE AND UTILIZE AEROSOL PAINTS IN A WELL- VENTILATED AREA. , Cover up the white with painter's tape and old newspapers before painting the front posts red. Casey Murdough is the Building Supervisor/ Ice Technician at The Wheaton Ice Arena. He also serves on the U.S. Ice Rink Assoc. Board of Directors.