Prepping Surfaces for a New Paint Job

Painting Wall preparation - CT Painters

Painting Wall preparation - CT PaintersHow come some house painters turn out a job that looks like a masterpiece, while others wind up with something that looks like a 6-year-old did it? The trick to a fabulous paint job is something all professional painters know: Preparation.

Prepping surfaces for a new paint job can be time-consuming and tedious. You’re doing all this work, and the room hasn’t changed a bit. Actually, it may be getting uglier. But that’s okay. Prep is what it’s all about. If you want beautiful, lasting results, put in the time, and watch what happens.

Surface-prep checklist
According to paint expert Sherwin-Williams, “a properly prepared surface is clean, solid and dry, without cracks and imperfections.” Keep that in mind as we look at prep work for various surfaces for interior painting projects.

Unpainted, bare wood: If there are any cracks or holes in the wood, fill with patching paste. Sand well and remove the dust. Apply a coat of primer before applying the finished coat. (If you have any doubts about the best primer and paint for any surfaces, consult an expert for advice.)

Plaster walls: This type of surface has to be clean and dust-free. If the plaster has any kind of raised swirl areas, treat it with a solution of 1 gallon of water and 1 pint of vinegar. The goal is to make the surface hard for proper paint adherence. After drying, coat with primer.

Fresh drywall: Make sure all panels are secure and level. Tape and fill all joints and any imperfections that may have happened when putting up the walls. Wait until patching is dry, then sand well. Remove the dust before painting.

Wallpaper: Don’t make the mistake others have made by trying to paint over old wallpaper. Proper prep means completely removing the wallpaper with a chemical remover or steamer. Then wash off residual adhesive, rinse thoroughly and let dry before applying paint.

Cement, masonry, concrete: The ideal process is to cure these surfaces according to the supplier’s guidelines. This normally requires 30 days. If you don’t have that long, cure for seven days and apply a masonry primer before laying down the finish coat. Do necessary patchwork to ensure a smooth surface. Make sure walls are very clean before adding primer or paint.

Painted surfaces: Painting over old paint is the most common interior painting task. The key here is CLEAN and SMOOTH. Start by filling in nail and screw holes and any cracks with a quality spackling compound. Let dry, and sand well to smooth out the surface.
Next, use an appropriate cleaner to completely remove oil, grease, dirt and any other contaminants from the wall. The older a surface is, the more likely it will have picked up substances that will make new paint coverage difficult.

Of course, there’s more to a stunning paint job than just the prep work. But most “bad” painting projects are the result of nothing more than insufficient preparation. So do the prep work, and marvel at the difference.

CT Professional Painter - PrimerDo you have a paint job that needs a real professional touch from start to finish? Franklin Painting of Farmington, Conn., is standing by to amaze you with beautiful results on every surface inside and outside your home. Learn about our process on our website, or reach us at (877) 646-7774.

Franklin Painting LLC – Call us Toll Free at 877-646-7774
or at our main office number 860-678-7701
160 Brickyard Road, Farmington, CT 06032

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