Local Businesses Restore Battleship Sign

Wilmington homeowners with coastal exteriors can see how donated labor and weather-resistant paint keep painted surfaces looking sharp.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Local Services

Freshly painted red, blue, and gold roadside panel on a galvanized post at a coastal highway verge, with live oaks and marsh grass behind it. — Local businesses donated pressure washing, 14 gallons of paint, and four days of labor to restore the Battleship North Carolina entrance sign on U.S. Highway 421 in Wilmington. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Local businesses restored the red, blue, and gold entrance sign for Battleship North Carolina along U.S. Highway 421 in Wilmington. Pelican Prowash of Wilmington donated pressure washing, Sherwin-Williams contributed 14 gallons of weather-resistant paint, and JBG Services painted the sign over four days.

Why it matters

The sign takes constant exposure from sunlight, coastal winds, and heavy rain, so it needs periodic upkeep to stay legible for visitors heading to the state's World War II memorial. The restoration comes after the sign was last refreshed in 2023, showing how local businesses are stepping in to keep a community landmark in shape.

Sherwin-Williams supplied 14 gallons of weather-resistant paint, and a six-person JBG Services crew worked four days on the sign. The last refresh before this one took place in 2023.

The players

Battleship North Carolina

The state's official World War II memorial, permanently moored on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, which honors approximately 11,000 North Carolinians who died while serving during the war.

Pelican Prowash of Wilmington

A Wilmington pressure washing company that donated its services to clean the entrance sign before painting.

Sherwin-Williams

A national paint manufacturer that contributed 14 gallons of weather-resistant paint for the sign.

JBG Services, Painting Division

A Leland-based painting company that provided the painting work to restore the sign over four days.

The details

Pelican Prowash of Wilmington pressure washed the sign to clean and prepare its surface before any new coat could go on. JBG Services, Painting Division, based in Leland, then applied the paint to restore the sign's original red, blue, and gold appearance. The work was completed over four days by a crew of six.

2023: The sign was last refreshed before this restoration.
2026-11-05
An article was published about the completed restoration.

The Home Front

Outdoor painted surfaces in coastal Southeastern towns like Wilmington tend to need more frequent repainting than inland surfaces because of salt air and sun. This restoration reflects the same upkeep pattern that homeowners in the area face with exterior trim and fencing.

If you own a home near the coast, plan exterior painting checks each year, especially on trim, railings, and any outdoor signage or fencing exposed to salt air. For work on the house itself, hire a licensed, insured painting contractor, and ask whether the paint is rated for coastal conditions.

The takeaway

Local service providers can combine donated labor and materials to keep community landmarks looking good, a model that is easy to see in your own neighborhood. When planning exterior painting at home, ask any contractor which weather-resistant products they use and how often they recommend repainting in your local climate.