Surface preparation
Mechanical and abrasive surface preparation to ISO 8501 standards — Sa 2.5 / SSPC-SP10 for full anti-corrosive systems, lower grades for less critical scopes. Preparation method matched to substrate and coating spec.
Rope access painting & protective coatings
Rope-accessed painting and protective coatings at height — decorative facade redecoration through to industrial anti-corrosive systems for bridges, gantries and structural steel.
What is a rope access painting contractor?
Rope-access painting covers the full range from decorative redecoration of commercial facades to heavy-duty anti-corrosive coating systems on bridges, gantries and structural steel. Apex teams hold ICATS (Industrial Coating Applicator Training Scheme) or PCI (Protective Coatings Inspector) certification on top of IRATA Level 3 — the competency stack required by tier-one main contractors and infrastructure clients. Coating systems are specified to ISO 12944 environmental class, with surface preparation (typically to Sa 2.5 / SSPC-SP10) and inspection records (DFT readings, climatic logs, adhesion tests) issued at handover. The technique avoids scaffold or MEWP cost on tall facades, bridge soffits, gantries and steel structures where access from below is impractical, expensive or impossible.
Part of Rope Access Division.
How we deliver.
Anti-corrosive coating systems
Zinc-rich primer + epoxy + polyurethane systems on structural steel — bridges, gantries, masts. ICATS-trained applicators with DFT and adhesion test records. Suitable for ISO 12944 C3-C5 environments.
Facade redecoration
Decorative redecoration of commercial and residential facades and soffits at height — surface prep, primer and finish coats. Period-correct paint systems on heritage where required.
Intumescent fire-protection coating
Specification and application of intumescent coatings to high-level structural steel for fire protection — typically up to 90 minutes. Combined with anti-corrosive primer where the steel is also exposed.
Industrial protective coatings
High-performance epoxy, polyurethane and zinc systems for offshore, marine, petrochemical and water-treatment assets. Coating to specification, with full inspection records.
Inspection & handover documentation
DFT readings, climatic logs, adhesion test records, manufacturer-warranty paperwork — all bundled into a coating handover pack that supports the asset's H&S file and future inspections.
Where we deliver.
Rope access painting and protective coating suits any tall, complex or hard-to-access structure where scaffold or MEWP would be uneconomic — particularly on infrastructure and industrial assets.
- Bridges & viaducts
- Highway and rail gantries
- Stadiums & masts
- Industrial & petrochemical
- Water treatment & utilities
- Commercial high-rise
- Heritage facades
Case studies.
See moreRevolut HQ, Canary Wharf
Two 5m flex face letters installed at Revolut's global HQ — heavy-lift sections in excess of 900kg, mixed BMU and rope access.
Read moreLeonardo Hotels Re-Brand
Nationwide signage rollout converting the Jurys Inn estate to Leonardo Hotels — flex face, built-up and totem signage across the portfolio.
Read moreWalcott Hall, Stamford
Restoration of original timber sash windows on a Grade I listed hall, delivered while the building continued to host events.
Read moreHyatt Place, Leeds
Four sets of illuminated built-up lettering installed during the live construction phase, with bespoke temporary anchorage.
Read moreTrue Student
Multi-site brand rollout across student accommodation buildings — built-up signage, contra-vision vinyl and large-format banners.
Read moreStaycity Aparthotels, London Heathrow
Two 7.5m illuminated tray signs installed adjacent to live railway infrastructure, delivered in coordination with Network Rail.
Read moreFAQs.
Are your painters ICATS or PCI certified?
Yes — Apex's painting teams hold ICATS (Industrial Coating Applicator Training Scheme) certification at the appropriate level, with PCI (Protective Coatings Inspector) cover for inspection scopes. This is the competency standard expected on bridge painting, structural steel and infrastructure contracts.
Can rope access deliver an ISO 12944 anti-corrosive system?
Yes — full anti-corrosive systems (Sa 2.5 surface prep, zinc-rich primer, intermediate, topcoat) can be delivered on rope. The only caveat is environmental control: high humidity or rain interrupts coating windows, so we plan around forecast weather and use containment sheeting where conditions are marginal.
Do you do bridge painting?
Yes — bridge painting is one of our most-frequent infrastructure scopes. We work on rope under traffic management on the highway side and under possession on the rail side, with ICATS-certified applicators and ISO 12944-compliant coating systems.
What about containment for blasting and overspray?
Containment is provided where the works specification requires it — scaffolded encapsulation for full blast cleaning on bridges, or local soft-containment for facade-level overspray control. We size the containment to the works and the environmental risk.
Can you also handle the surface preparation?
Yes — Apex's teams cover the full prep-to-finish cycle. Mechanical preparation (wire brushing, needle gunning), abrasive preparation (sweep blast, full blast under containment), patch repair and overcoat — all delivered by the same in-house team.
Talk to our Rope Access team about painting & protective coatings
Contact our Rope Access team today about your project. We aim to respond within 24 hours.