Proper surface preparation is essential for achieving both the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your paintwork. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what is included in the preparation process:

• Surface Cleaning: Remove grease, nicotine, mould, and dirt from surfaces as needed. This ensures that the paint adheres properly and the final finish is clean and smooth.
• Pressure Washing: For exterior walls, use a pressure washer to thoroughly clean the surfaces before preparation and painting. This helps remove dirt and loose paint, providing a clean base for new paint.
• Paint Removal: Eliminate any peeling, cracked, or deteriorating paint. This can be achieved with tools such as a pressure washer, heat gun, sander, paint stripper, or scraper. Proper removal ensures that the new paint adheres well and the surface is even.
• Sanding: Smooth out rough edges and surfaces. Sanding helps create a level surface and improves paint adhesion, which is crucial for a polished finish.
• Filling: Address cracks and gaps with the appropriate filler:
• Sanding After Filling: Lightly sand the filled areas to ensure a smooth and clean surface before applying undercoat or paint.
• Stain Sealing: Apply a stain-sealer to prevent stains from bleeding through the new paint. This includes ink stains, water marks, and mould stains.
• Priming/Undercoating: Apply primer or undercoat to bare surfaces such as timber, plasterboard, masonry, and metal. Use a tinted undercoat if painting a strong or dark color over a light one, or when changing from a dark to a light color. Particularly for woodwork, a coat of undercoat followed by 1-2 top coats is often necessary to achieve a significant color change.

Proper preparation is key to achieving a flawless finish and ensuring the durability of your paintwork.