RetroChem’s Mission: Restoring the Past with a Green Heart

Kansas City’s RetroChem Inc. may not be digging wells or dredging wetlands, but its core mission—preserving and reviving the built environment—is deeply rooted in Midwestern values of stewardship and ingenuity. Founded by Brian “Bryan” Painter, RetroChem is a consortium of specialty restoration companies based in Kansas City, KS, dedicated to repairing and rejuvenating historic and contemporary architectural surfaces. “RetroChem is actually our parent company…a consortium of companies that all have individual, boutique services or specialties,” Brian explains[1]. In practice, that means a team of craftspeople who can save marble, terrazzo, plaster and more from decay, bringing new life to old buildings with a decidedly sustainable mindset.

Building a Legacy of Restoration

Brian’s path from corporate consultant to restoration pioneer is itself a Kansas City story. “I’ve been doing this since 2005,” he says. After leaving the corporate world and running a consulting firm, he was approached by contractors with a different kind of problem: How do we restore an old structure that nobody else knows how to fix?[2]. Tackling those challenges turned into RetroChem’s calling card. “Honestly, that’s how we came to be,” he laughs. “We have a pretty healthy reputation for taking on the projects that nobody else knows what to do with, wants to mess with at times”[3]. In other words, when an owner is wrestling with peeling terrazzo floors, crumbling stone, or faded gilding, the question isn’t if RetroChem can help—it’s how.

RetroChem’s own history reflects its Kansas City roots. The company began in 2005 as a local installer of specialty urethane floor coatings and slip-resistant products[4]. By 2011, it was serving general contractors and facility managers with proprietary restoration systems for historic and contemporary floors[4]. Today the RetroChem umbrella includes:

·         RetroPros: A dedicated team of preservation experts who “repair, replicate, and refinish” architectural hard surfaces—terrazzo, vinyl tile, cement, wood, metal, glass, stone and more[5]. RetroPros specializes in historic architecture, bringing craftsmanship and attention to detail to every project[5].

·         Plaster Dynamics: Artisans who preserve and restore ornamental plaster and fine finishes, from gilded ceilings to painted murals[6]. Brian sums it up with a local example: “Think Union Station. When you walk in and you look up… that’s the kind of work [Plaster Dynamics] does. If you walk into Union Station and you look down, that’s the kind of work that RetroPros does.”[7] In other words, everything from Venetian plaster to marble floors in our region’s grand buildings.

·         RetroShine: A product and training division focused on sustainable floor-maintenance systems[8][9]. What started as an in-house solution has grown into a national network: Brian says they are “building a national network of distribution clients… that we teach… how to do some of the special services that we offer”[10]. RetroShine’s formulations and methods eliminate recurring chemical treatments, promising “a permanent shine” on floors without endless stripping and waxing[9].

·         RetroCare: Ongoing maintenance programs that keep restored surfaces looking good year after year. As Brian notes, clients often “provide them with ongoing maintenance to make sure the money they’ve invested in their restoration… continue to look good.” (He smiles, “It’s working. We’re having a blast.”)

Each RetroChem division complements the others, but they share a common philosophy: restore rather than replace. Brian credits this to both necessity and upbringing. He grew up in rural Kansas “with a father that didn’t believe in buying anything new,” who was a mechanic, electrician, and welder. “I learned a lot of things,” he recalls, and when asked how he learned his craft, he quips: “The truth is… I figured it out, because of a lot of the mistakes that I made”[11]. That hands-on, problem-solving mindset pervades the RetroChem approach. When a building’s materials can be saved instead of hauled off, it preserves history and avoids the waste of replacement materials.

A Motley Crew of Specialists

Part of what sets RetroChem apart is its team. Brian proudly describes them as a “motley crew of…some pretty odd ducks” with remarkable skills[12]. Among his people are master craftsmen trained by institutions like New York’s Guggenheim for art restoration, carpenters skilled in fine wood finishes, metalworkers and sculptors with exacting abilities—even chemists and engineers who develop new coatings and cleaning systems. To keep the talent pipeline full, RetroChem recruits extensively from local schools: “We do a lot of recruiting…internships and apprentice programs with Kansas City Art Institute, pulling folks over from there,” Brian says[12]. The result is a passionate, creative team that feels more like a family than just employees.

That family atmosphere is no accident. Brian makes hiring decisions with both skill and “barnyard sense”—common sense for life on a jobsite[13]. He looks for people who can think on their feet and enjoy the variety of work RetroChem does. “It never gets boring,” he says. Off the clock, this eclectic group is tight-knit: “We’re not a huge company…we’re very close. We spend time together outside of work, we take care of one another…we fish together, we eat together,” he shares with a laugh[14]. Clients and partners notice this too: RetroChem folks often feel more like friends who care deeply about a project than just hired hands.

Technology with a Green Outlook

Even as an old-school artisan business, RetroChem embraces technology and sustainability. In fact, some of its most innovative work came from wanting to ditch wasteful practices. Brian highlights their pursuit of “sustainable systems designed to replace some of the old traditional methods that…are not necessarily environmentally friendly”[15]. The poster child is floors: traditional vinyl composition tile (VCT) is typically waxed and stripped every few months using chemicals and labor. RetroChem developed a mechanical solution instead. As Brian explains, they removed the wax permanently by diamond-polishing the surface. “We actually remove the wax from the surface and we polish a permanent shine into the VCT…as long as it’s taken care of like it should, you basically eliminate not only stripping and waxing, but…save a tremendous amount of money in the long run,” he says[9]. This one change at the Richard Bolling Federal Building, for example, slashed a decade’s worth of maintenance costs by eliminating recurring labor and harsh chemicals[9].

These innovations aren’t just money-savers; they’re part of a larger ethos. RetroChem aims to help clients save resources: “We’ve come up with sustainable solutions that will save these buildings money in the long run,” Brian notes[16]. Every bit of reclaimed terrazzo or restored wood prevents mining or manufacturing of new materials. Every gallon of stripper or new tile not used keeps pollutants out of landfills and local waterways. In Kansas City—where residents are increasingly conscious of issues like soil and groundwater contamination—this matters. (It’s worth noting that K.C. just joined a lawsuit over PFAS “forever chemicals” in firefighting foam, highlighting the region’s focus on cleaning up pollution[17][18].) RetroChem may not be solving the PFAS crisis, but Brian’s approach reflects the same Midwestern value of stewardship: fixing what’s broken instead of discarding it.

Case Studies: Restoring Local Landmarks

RetroChem’s impact can be seen throughout the city’s restored landmarks. One shining example is Kansas City’s Union Station, whose grand spaces have been a showcase for the company’s artistry. Brian says when you visit, “if you look up, [you see] the kind of work Plaster Dynamics does; if you look down, that’s the kind of work RetroPros does.”[7] In practice, this meant painstakingly repairing plaster ceilings and sparkling terrazzo floors by night, long after visitors had gone.

Another tale comes from the Power & Light Building downtown. While stripping and polishing stone flooring in its vintage lobby, Brian’s team discovered a hidden secret: the original masons had inscribed their names and date on pieces of marble over 100 years ago. “Those marble pieces had been signed by the original craftsmen…they were signed and dated,” he recounts[19]. Inspired, he had his own crew sign next to the originals before re-installing them. The moment bridged a century: “I had my guys…sign it and date it next to where the original craftsman had,” he says[19]. For the client and the public, it added a piece of living history—and a story to tell.

Meanwhile, at the Richard Bolling Federal Building, a focus on sustainability paid off. RetroChem replaced monthly floor waxing with its diamond-polish system, a shift that Brian describes as saving “a tremendous amount of money in the long run”[9]. In hallways that once saw waxing crews every quarter, custodians now simply maintain the polished shine, freeing up budget and resources. The reduced chemical use even aligns with nationwide moves toward greener cleaning.

These projects are not one-offs. RetroChem’s portfolio spans old banks, courthouses, hotels, and corporate offices—anywhere that buildings might otherwise fall victim to wear or outdated methods. Brian notes that as Kansas City’s historic inventory matures, the company is also branching into new construction maintenance: hospitals, schools, and government facilities now tap RetroChem to keep lobbies and floors in pristine shape. Whatever the setting, the story is the same: they love bringing old spaces back to life, but they’re equally good at keeping new ones looking fresh for decades.

Rooted in Community and Craft

Throughout it all, Brian emphasizes that RetroChem’s success is a community effort. He regularly works with local historic associations (RetroChem is a sponsor of Historic Kansas City) and even calls preservation experts from the Land Institute or university agronomists when seeking inspiration on sustainability. (Indeed, nearby Salina’s Land Institute is pioneering regenerative agriculture in Kansas[20]—a reminder that “restoration” means many things in our region.)

Brian himself is quick to credit Kansas City’s collaborative spirit. From learning the business at local projects like the Midland and Lyric Theaters to growing through municipal GSA contracts, RetroChem has never been an outsider. “We serve the Midwest,” he says, and Kansas Citians see them as “right here in our own backyard”[21][4]. This hometown advantage means they understand local priorities—preserving heritage and pursuing green solutions—better than anyone.

For employees, the upside is a workplace that celebrates Kansas City’s values of hard work and humility. Brian’s down-to-earth persona is emblematic: on our call he often laughs at himself (stumbling over company names, ribbing his COO), and he peppers his answers with stories of family and mistakes that became lessons. It’s a tone that comes through in person, reinforcing that RetroChem isn’t just a vendor but a partner to clients and a steward of community landmarks.

Looking Ahead

So what’s on the horizon for RetroChem? Brian’s ambitions blend local focus with national reach. With RetroShine’s product line and training network, he’s pitching to handle GSA (General Services Administration) accounts across the country[10]. Back home, the company is diversifying: Brian and his son have even launched a creative design side business, Jubio Design, on evenings and weekends[22]. It started as a hobby to share, but even that project reflects the core spirit—finding beauty and utility in old ideas.

Regionally, RetroChem’s work fits neatly into a Midwestern narrative of resilience. In a time when soil and water need cleaning, historic buildings need rescuing, and budgets need stretching, the company offers a uniquely Kansas City solution: do more with less, thoughtfully. As Mayor Quinton Lucas remarked about the PFAS effort, Kansas City is committed to “protecting our community’s drinking water while ensuring that those who created [environmental] problems bear responsibility”[23]. RetroChem applies a similar principle at the building level. By investing effort up front—using durable, non-toxic methods and preserving original materials—it shifts responsibility for costly maintenance away from owners and into long-term savings.

In Brian’s words, they’re motivated by money and the mission. “Sometimes we don’t make a lot of money, and we’re scratching our head about why we took that project,” he admits with a grin[24]. “But…you know, you’re having lots of fun.” That sense of satisfaction, combined with Kansas City’s entrepreneurial grit, powers RetroChem’s story. Whether it’s a century-old marble floor or the next shining lobby, Bryan Painter and his team are proving that restoration can be both a business and a form of stewardship—reviving heritage in a way that honors people, place, and planet.

Key Services at RetroChem:

• Architectural Surface Repair: Terrazzo, tile, wood, stone, metal, glass (RetroPros)[5].
  
  

• Ornamental Plaster & Finishes: Murals, gilding, stucco, Venetian plaster (Plaster Dynamics)[6][7].
  
  

• Floor Coatings & Maintenance: Specialty products and training to replace waxing (RetroShine)[9][10].
  
  

• Ongoing Care: Periodic maintenance plans to protect every restoration investment.

These offerings keep Kansas City’s heritage shining now and into the future — a local mission with relevance for any region aiming to harmonize preservation and sustainability.

[1] [2] [3] [7] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [19] [21] [22] [24] closed_caption.txt

file://file_000000001668720cb1388f021e0406c6

[4] History — RETROCHEM

https://retrochem.com/about-2-1

[5] [6] [8] Services — RETROCHEM

https://retrochem.com/services

[17] [18] [23]  Kansas City News Releases | CITY OF KANSAS CITY | OFFICIAL WEBSITE

https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2576/231

[20] closed_caption-Land Institute.txt

file://file_00000000f22c722fbccaf0955059b3e1