Durable flooring and a clean, professional interior are essential for any restaurant or food service facility—not just for aesthetics, but to meet strict health and safety standards. For Sandwich Express in McMinnville, OR, Smith & Company Painting delivered a complete solution with a high-performance polyaspartic epoxy floor coating and fresh interior painting. Polyaspartic flooring is ideal for commercial kitchens thanks to its superior durability, stain and chemical resistance, and fast cure time. It creates a seamless, sanitary surface that’s easy to clean and built to withstand constant foot traffic, spills, and temperature changes.
The biggest concern for the business owner was minimizing downtime—and we delivered. Our 4-man crew completed the entire project in just one day, allowing Sandwich Express to reopen quickly without disruption. Polyaspartic epoxy’s rapid curing made that possible, giving the restaurant a long-lasting, low-maintenance floor without sacrificing business hours. The fresh interior painting provided a clean, polished look that reinforced the brand’s commitment to quality and cleanliness.
As a repeat customer, Sandwich Express trusted us once again to provide high-quality results with minimal impact on daily operations. At Smith & Company Painting, we specialize in delivering tailored, efficient solutions that meet the unique demands of commercial kitchens—ensuring safety, durability, and style without compromising productivity.
Project Overview: Commercial Kitchen Polyaspartic Epoxy Flooring and Interior Painting
- Client: Sandwich Express
- Location: 711 OR-99W, McMinnville, OR 97128
- Type of Project: Commercial Kitchen Flooring & Interior Painting
- Scope: Polyaspartic epoxy kitchen flooring, epoxy cove base, cooler floor, ceramic tile traction treatment, and interior painting
- Duration: 1 Day!
- Lead Contractor: Alex Castro
Location: 711 OR-99W, McMinnville, OR 97128
Tucked in Oregon’s picturesque Yamhill County, McMinnville is a vibrant small city that blends rich history with the charm of wine country. Just under an hour from Portland, it’s home to a bustling downtown, world-class wineries, and landmarks like the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. In the heart of this lively community along Highway 99W, Sandwich Express—a popular local eatery—recently underwent a major commercial flooring and painting upgrade. The project required resurfacing kitchen floors, cooler areas, and high-traffic ceramic tile zones, along with repainting key kitchen and dining areas to meet food safety, durability, and visual appeal standards. Smith & Company Painting was entrusted to deliver expert craftsmanship with minimal disruption to daily operations—an expectation they met with precision and professionalism.
With a proven track record across McMinnville and the surrounding Willamette Valley, Smith & Company Painting has become a trusted name for both commercial and winery projects alike. Their portfolio includes work for esteemed vineyards such as Domaine Drouhin, Archery Summit, Alexana, Lange Winery, and Native Flora—each requiring a balance of durability and aesthetic excellence. Whether enhancing a local restaurant or restoring the beauty of a tasting room overlooking the valley, Smith & Company brings high-quality finishes to spaces where craftsmanship truly meets character.
Why This Commercial Kitchen Needed Flooring and Painting Upgrades
The commercial kitchen floor at Sandwich Express had reached the end of its lifespan. The original VCT flooring was cracked, stained, and increasingly difficult to clean—creating both safety and sanitary concerns. The rubber base trim was damaged and pulling away from the walls, trapping grime and moisture. Additionally, ceramic tile areas became dangerously slick when wet, and the uncoated concrete floor inside the walk-in cooler was prone to absorbing moisture, increasing the risk of mold and deterioration. These issues not only looked bad but posed serious health and safety risks in a food-grade environment.
Instead of opting for a costly full renovation, the restaurant chose a more strategic and budget-friendly solution: a polyaspartic epoxy floor coating system paired with professional interior painting. This seamless, durable floor upgrade provided slip resistance, stain protection, and an easy-to-sanitize surface—ideal for the demands of a commercial kitchen. The deteriorated base trim was also replaced, and both the kitchen and dining areas received fresh floor coatings, dramatically improving cleanliness, brightness, and overall ambiance.
This targeted upgrade proved to be a smart investment. A high-performance commercial kitchen floor not only enhances safety and hygiene but also supports day-to-day efficiency and reinforces a restaurant’s commitment to quality. For Sandwich Express, the result is a cleaner, safer, and more inviting space—for staff and customers alike.
Commercial Kitchen Flooring Challenges and Solutions
Efficient Full-Day Shutdown for Flooring Renovation
To minimize disruption to the restaurant’s operations, we recommended a full shutdown of the building to complete the flooring renovation in just one day. This approach allowed our team to work intensively without interruptions, accelerating the project timeline and reducing overall downtime. By closing the kitchen and dining areas for a single day, we avoided the complexities and extended costs associated with phased work schedules that require multiple nights or off-hours. This strategy helped the restaurant resume full service promptly, maintaining customer satisfaction and minimizing revenue loss.
Protecting Sensitive Areas with Zero-VOC Coatings and Substrate Repairs
A major concern during the renovation was maintaining food safety, particularly in the walk-in cooler, where stored items could be vulnerable to airborne contaminants and odors. To protect the food, we applied a zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) coating—a safer alternative that minimized fumes without compromising performance. This ensured the air quality remained safe and compliant with health standards. Alongside this, our team carefully addressed cracks and surface damage in the existing floor by using a high-strength epoxy patching compound. These substrate repairs created a smooth, stable surface to ensure proper adhesion for the new flooring system and achieve a flawless, durable final finish.
Durable, Low-VOC Trim Painting for a Clean, Safe Environment
To finalize the renovation, we focused on painting the trim throughout the kitchen and dining areas using commercial-grade, low-VOC paint. Painting the trim enhances the overall appearance by providing a crisp, clean finish that complements the flooring and walls. The low-VOC paint ensures minimal odors and harmful emissions, maintaining better indoor air quality—an important factor in food service environments. This careful attention to detail helps create a polished, hygienic space that is both visually appealing and easy to maintain.
Our Commercial Kitchen Polyaspartic Epoxy Flooring and Interior Painting Process
Demolition & Surface Prep
This phase involved carefully removing existing materials to prepare the substrate for new coatings. The old vinyl composition tile (VCT) and rubber base were completely stripped away, ensuring a clean and unobstructed surface. Following removal, the concrete substrate was ground down to smooth out any imperfections and create an ideal bonding surface for subsequent treatments. Any cracks or spalls found in the concrete were meticulously filled using an industrial-grade epoxy patch, restoring the floor’s structural integrity and preventing further damage.
Epoxy Cove Base (Optional Add-On)
As an optional enhancement, an integral epoxy cove base was installed along the perimeter walls. This involved troweling epoxy mortar to create a smooth, seamless transition between the floor and the wall. The epoxy cove base not only provides a clean, professional appearance but also offers a sanitary barrier that resists moisture and facilitates easy cleaning, making it ideal for commercial and industrial environments.
Polyaspartic Epoxy Floor Coating System
The flooring system began with the application of a fast-curing polyaspartic base coat, which ensures rapid turnaround times and excellent adhesion. While the base coat was still wet, decorative color flakes were broadcast onto the surface until refusal, adding both texture and aesthetic appeal. After curing, the floor was sanded to eliminate any inconsistencies in texture, providing a smooth yet slip-resistant finish. Finally, a clear polyaspartic topcoat was applied to deliver long-term protection against wear, chemicals, and UV exposure, ensuring the floor remains durable and vibrant over time.
Walk-In Cooler Floor Coating
For the walk-in cooler, a zero-VOC polyaspartic epoxy coating was used, prioritizing safety and minimizing odor during and after application. This environmentally friendly choice ensures that air quality remains uncompromised. To reduce disruption and downtime, shelving units inside the cooler were left in place throughout the flooring installation process, allowing the cooler to remain partially operational and minimizing overall project impact.
Ceramic Tile Traction Treatment
To enhance safety on existing ceramic tile floors, a specialized traction treatment was applied to improve slip resistance. This treatment was completed efficiently in a single visit, ensuring minimal inconvenience to occupants while significantly reducing the risk of slips and falls in high-traffic areas.
Interior Painting
The painting process began with thorough cleaning and preparation of all interior surfaces to guarantee proper paint adhesion. Commercial-grade low-VOC paints were applied to trim, promoting a healthier indoor environment with reduced emissions. The finish was carefully executed to be smooth and hygienic, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance that is also easy to clean and maintain over time.
Paint & Coating Products Used
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Polyaspartic Epoxy Coatings: Fast cure time, high durability, ideal for commercial interior spaces
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Epoxy Mortar & Patching Compound: Ensures smooth, crack-free surfaces
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Decorative Color Flakes: Added durability and slip resistance
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Zero-VOC Coating: Used in walk-in cooler to minimize health risks
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Commercial-grade Interior Paint: Low-VOC, durable paint for food service environments
Final Results: A Safe, Durable, Hygienic, and Fresh Commercial Kitchen
Our recent commercial interior project at Sandwich Express transformed their kitchen, cooler, and dining areas with state-of-the-art polyaspartic epoxy flooring and expert interior painting. This upgrade significantly enhanced the overall functionality, safety, and hygiene of the space—key factors for any commercial kitchen flooring solution.
Key Benefits of the New Commercial Kitchen Flooring and Interior Finishes:
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Meets and exceeds commercial food safety and hygiene regulations, ensuring a spotless and compliant environment
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Delivers a seamless, professional, and visually appealing surface that elevates the kitchen and dining area’s appearance
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Easy to clean and maintain, saving time and effort in daily sanitation routines
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Reduces slip-and-fall risks by providing superior traction, critical for busy commercial kitchens
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Boosts ambiance and natural brightness through fresh, vibrant interior painting combined with reflective flooring
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Built to withstand heavy foot traffic, daily cleaning protocols, and constant moisture exposure, guaranteeing long-lasting durability
The client praised the transformation as a complete success, reinforcing why Smith & Company Painting remains their trusted partner for all commercial kitchen flooring and renovation needs.
“The crew was awesome!!!! They surpassed all expectations.”
Why Businesses Trust Smith & Company for Commercial Kitchen Flooring & Painting
At Smith & Company Painting, we specialize in:
Commercial Kitchen Flooring
Smith & Company Painting specializes in high-performance flooring solutions tailored for commercial kitchens. They utilize polyaspartic coatings, known for their rapid curing times and durability, ensuring kitchens are operational with minimal downtime.
Comprehensive Commercial Painting Services
Beyond flooring, Smith & Company offers comprehensive commercial painting services, including interior and exterior painting, epoxy coatings, and surface preparation. Their team ensures that all surfaces meet health and safety standards, which is crucial for establishments like restaurants and cafeterias.
Proven Track Record and Customer Satisfaction
With decades of experience working in the industry, Smith & Company has built a reputation for reliability and quality. They have served a diverse range of clients, from restaurants to warehouses, consistently delivering high-quality work. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in positive reviews and repeat business. See more customer reviews of Smith & Company Painting Projects!
Serving the Pacific Northwest
Based in McMinnville, Oregon, Smith & Company Painting serves the Portland and Salem areas, including Newberg, providing tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of local businesses.
Get a Free Estimate for Commercial Kitchen Flooring or Painting
See more Interior painting services from Smith & Company Painting
Visit us: 570 SE Davis St, McMinnville, OR 97128
Call us: 503-472-4334
Learn more: smithandcompanypainting.com
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