Marriott Hotel – Elevator Bank Refresh with 3M™ DI-NOC™

Project Snapshot

• Client: Marriott Hotel (New York)

• Sector: Hospitality

• Location: New York, NY

• Scope: Elevator bank doors (exterior) and elevator cab interiors

• Services: Surface removal & prep, substrate repair, 3M™ DI-NOC™ application

• Duration: All elevators completed within 10 days

• Operational impact: No guest-facing downtime or service interruptions

Overview

The hotel’s elevator cabs and doors were structurally sound but looked tired and dated. Years of:

• Layered, mismatched paint on the exterior metal doors and frames

• Cracked, aged laminate panels inside the cabs

• Dents, dings, and surface imperfections had left the elevators feeling far below the standard Marriott wanted to present to guests.

Management wanted a high-end, refreshed look that matched the overall standard of the property—but without:

• Removing and replacing entire elevator interiors

• Creating construction noise and visible disruption

• Taking elevators out of service for extended periods

  
  

AFF was brought in to re-skin and revive the elevators using 3M™ DI-NOC™ architectural finishes.

The Challenge

• Heavily worn substrates. Years of layered paint on the metal doors and jambs, plus cracked and failing laminate inside the cabs, meant surfaces were far from smooth or “wrap ready.”

• Visible dents and dings. Physical damage to the metal and panels made the interiors feel neglected and low-end.

• No downtime. Elevators needed to remain available for guests, with minimal perceived disruption in a busy hotel environment.

• Premium brand expectations. Marriott required a finish level that matched a four-star hospitality experience, not just a quick cosmetic patch.

The core challenge:

Deliver a “new elevator” look on existing structures, quietly, in a live hotel.

Our Approach & Solution

AFF designed a process that combined deep surface preparation with high-end film finishes, executed in a tightly managed schedule.

1. Careful removal of old finishes

   • Stripped back multiple layers of old, uneven paint on the metal elevator doors and jambs.

   • Removed cracked and failing laminate panels from the cab interiors.

   • Ensured all loose, unstable material was taken off to create a solid base.

   
   

2. Substrate repair & stabilization

   • Addressed dents, dings, and surface imperfections using appropriate fillers and bonding methods.

   • Sanded and smoothed repaired areas to create a consistent substrate suitable for film application.

   • Focused on corners, edges, and high-touch areas where defects are most visible.

   
   

3. Application of 3M™ DI-NOC™ dark fine wood grain

   • Wrapped interior cab panels in a dark wood-grain DI-NOC™ pattern to deliver a warm, high-end hospitality feel.

   • Applied matching DI-NOC™ to exterior elevator jambs and select metal surfaces for a cohesive look from lobby to cab.

   • Aligned grain direction and seams for a furniture-grade appearance rather than a “sticker” look.

     
     

4. Phased work schedule with no downtime

   • Planned work in short, controlled windows to ensure elevator availability throughout the day.

   • Coordinated closely with hotel operations to avoid peak guest traffic times.

   • Completed the full bank of elevators—inside and outside—within 10 days, with no guest-facing shutdowns.

Materials & Methods

• 3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes

  • Dark fine wood-grain pattern selected to complement the hotel’s existing lobby finishes and elevate perceived quality.

  • Used on:

    • Interior cab wall panels

    • Elevator door jambs and surrounding metal surfaces (where appropriate)

      
      

• Surface Prep & Repair

  • Mechanical removal of layered paint on metal doors and frames

  • Removal of aged laminate from cab interior panels

  • Use of permanent bonding and repair compounds to fill dents and dings

  • Sanding and smoothing for a flat, uniform substrate

    
    

• Installation Practices

  • Careful edge wrapping and seam placement for durability and aesthetics

  • Heat forming around reveals and profiles where necessary

  • Clean-up and protection protocols to maintain a tidy work area in guest corridors

Results & Impact

• Elevators that match the brand. The newly wrapped elevator cabs and doors now convey the level of class and refinement guests expect from a Marriott property.

  
  

• “New” look without replacement. By restoring and wrapping existing surfaces, the hotel avoided the cost and disruption of full elevator cab replacement.

  
  

• No guest downtime. All work was completed over approximately 10 days without taking elevators out of service, preserving guest convenience and hotel operations.

  
  

• Durable, easy-to-maintain finishes. 3M™ DI-NOC™ provides a cleanable, repairable surface designed to stand up to heavy hotel traffic and cleaning routines.

  
  

• High satisfaction from management and guests. The transformation from dented, dated surfaces to sleek dark wood grain delivered an immediate uplift in perceived quality.

Scope of Work

• Site review and condition assessment of elevator bank

• Removal of old layered paint and failing laminate panels

• Repair and smoothing of dented and damaged substrates

• Selection and installation of 3M™ DI-NOC™ dark fine wood-grain finish

• Wrapping of interior cab panels and exterior jambs

• Phased on-site work coordinated with hotel operations

• Full bank of elevators completed in 10 days with no downtime