A Fresh Start Before the Winter

When the Michigan chill creeps in, tennis players trade outdoor courts for the warm, echoing comfort of indoor play. This seasonal migration isn’t just about staying warm. It’s about experience. Lifetime Fitness understood that perfectly when they called in our team at Northstar Painting to refresh their indoor tennis court walls before the winter season hit full swing.

We found ourselves surrounded by green plywood walls that had seen countless volleys, serves, and seasons. The color was fading, scuffed, and uneven in tone. Our mission was simple yet essential: bring new energy to the space without disrupting the club’s daily rhythm. And that’s exactly what we did.

What You’ll Learn

In this guide, we’ll share insider techniques for prepping and painting high-traffic indoor athletic spaces. We’ll cover how to approach surface prep like a pro and why material compatibility is everything..

Why Sanding Is a Game Changer

The biggest secret to professional-grade results? It’s not the paint. It’s the prep. Those green plywood walls had years of dust, dirt, and flaking paint that would have ruined the finish if we hadn’t addressed them. We started by meticulously covering all areas not scheduled for paint.

Then came the real work: scraping and sanding. Sanding isn’t just about smoothing the surface; it opens the wood grain slightly, allowing primer and paint to bond deeper and last longer. This step alone can extend the life of a paint job by years.

The Right Product for the Right Purpose

For the finish, we selected Sherwin Williams ProMar 200. It’s a durable, washable paint with just the right sheen to resist scuffs from tennis balls and gear while maintaining a polished appearance under court lighting.

The Eg-Shell finish strikes the perfect balance between matte (which hides imperfections) and semi-gloss (which offers cleanability). For indoor athletic environments, that balance is gold.

The Role of Microclimate in Indoor Painting

Here’s something even seasoned pros often overlook: temperature and humidity inside sports facilities can vary dramatically. The HVAC systems in gyms and tennis centers can cause uneven drying or flashing (when some spots reflect light differently). We schedule painting during low-traffic, climate-stable hours to ensure uniform curing. That’s one of those unspoken details that separate good from flawless.

Bringing Energy Back to the Court

After sanding, patching, and prepping every surface, we applied multiple thin coats for consistent coverage. The Hunter Green walls came alive under the court lighting, reviving the space with vibrancy and depth. Players notice when a space feels fresh. Even subconsciously. That sensory upgrade enhances the entire indoor experience.

Setting Up for Seasonal Success

If you manage an athletic or fitness facility, take this as your cue. As colder months push activity indoors, now is the ideal window to rejuvenate your spaces. A well-timed refresh doesn’t just look great; it boosts member satisfaction and retention through the winter.

Whether it’s tennis courts, gyms, or multipurpose studios, the Northstar Painting approach always starts with precision prep and finishes with long-lasting performance. Reach out before the next season changes, and let’s get your walls ready for their next serve.