“The best part was restoring a beloved amusement park attraction.”

Few structures are as intimidating as the Thunderbolt.

Revitalizing the Thunderbolt on Coney Island

The looping roller coaster on Coney Island stretches 125 feet into the sky and reaches speeds of up to 65 mph in its two-minute roundtrip.

Riding it is intense, but painting it was a different kind of excitement.

Alpine Painting was hired to bring the Thunderbolt back to its glory. The coaster’s coating had been worn down by salt, grease, and scuffing.

The project started in April 2024. Prep included power washing and tool cleaning, with weekly grease removal. Alpine applied a three-coat system to ensure durability and a beautiful shine.

If you’ve ever been to an amusement park and heard thunder, you know exactly what it was like for Alpine during this project. Multiple weather delays compounded with weekend use of the park created the biggest challenge for the seven member crew.

“The team had to adapt quickly, reschedule tasks, and add extra surface preparation to ensure coatings adhered properly and met durability standards,” Alpine said.

Reviving the Thunderbolt took six months total – April to October 2024 – with a pause during the busy summer season.

“The best part was restoring a beloved amusement park attraction and seeing the transformation of the Thunderbolt rollercoaster into a vibrant, visually-stunning structure,” Alpine said. “Positive feedback from the client and the public underscored the significance of the team’s hard work and expertise.”

Like a roller coaster, the projects had ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments that make your stomach drop, but the best rides – and projects – are the ones that scare you most.

Materials:

• A three-layer system tailored for durability in harsh coastal environments, including rust and UV resistance.