Below is a comprehensive guide to preparing both interior and exterior surfaces before painting in 5 easy to follow steps:
Exterior surfaces often face exposure to grime, UV colours, and various weather conditions. Begin by giving your exterior walls a thorough rinse or power wash with garden hoses and an anti-mould solution. Allow the surface to dry completely to ensure proper paint adhesion, avoiding mildew and grime.
For interior surfaces, a heavy wash isn't necessary. Instead, use a soapy solution like Sugar soap and a towel to clean residues from the walls. For kitchen grease and smoke stains, consider using a TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate) solution.
This step is crucial for previously painted interior or exterior surfaces. Thoroughly scrape off old loose and peeling paint with long strokes, eliminating flaking paint and addressing issues like efflorescence, blistering, and cracking. After scraping, use sandpaper to gently scuff the surface, smoothing ridges or dents for a more even finish.
Use joint compound and filling knives to conceal small imperfections like patch holes and nail heads. Once the filling is complete, sand the surface to achieve a smooth finish. Use base coats and gentle brushes or rollers to conceal cracks on the surface. Opt for two thin patch coats, as they are more adhesive than one thick coat, allowing you to texture the surface according to your needs.
Exterior surfaces require a quality exterior primer to prevent chemical reactions and moisture penetration. For new, unpainted surfaces, a single coat of primer is usually sufficient. However, for older and damage-prone surfaces, advanced acrylic-polymer primers are recommended.
For interior surfaces, choose oil or acrylic primer for a sleek finish or plasterboard primer for a porous surface. Ensure a smudge-free surface by spot-priming stained areas before the painting job.
Once your wall is prepared, conduct a colour test on the surface. Purchase sample pots of your preferred colours and directly paint them on a small part of the prepared surface. For effective comparison, apply two coats, as the second coat often makes a noticeable difference. Alternatively, get a free colour consultation here.
Preparing your walls before painting is crucial and requires expert attention but good results can be achieved and it will maximise your budget for the most important part - hiring professional painters which is always worthwhile. With over 20 years of professional painting experience, Imperial Painting’s expert house painters in Mildura are just a call away to meet all your painting needs.
