Many people assume painting requires simply purchasing paint and brushes; however, for quality results it requires much more. Proper surface preparation must also be carried out.
Prepping correctly before commencing any paint project will help ensure it looks its best and lasts longer. Essential steps include:
Clean the Surface
Uninformed painting jobs will soon fail if not properly prepared for. Even the highest quality primer or paint are worthless when applied directly onto a dirty surface. Know more about Painters Melbourne.
Professional contractors understand this, and devote significant effort in the preparation phase to ensure all surfaces are ready to receive a new coat of paint. This includes stripping away old layers of paint to prevent future issues like rusting and clearing away any burrs, dents or holes which might create complications when painting occurs.
Step one of surface preparation typically entails washing the surface with detergent solution and rinsing off thoroughly afterwards. In many instances, this step may suffice but in certain instances more extensive prep may be necessary – for instance scrubbing with wire brush or solvent-based cleaning (TSP substitute) might also help eliminate oil or grease buildup that would inhibit adhesion of coatings to surfaces.
Sand the Surface
Commercial painting contractors can transform wood, metal or brick surfaces into masterpieces with just one coat of paint if their surfaces are prepared correctly prior to receiving said coats. Surface preparation entails tasks like cleaning, sanding and priming in order to prepare these materials to receive coatings or adhere to other materials and reduce problems like corrosion or mechanical damage.
No matter whether you are applying a base coat or acrylic topcoat, smooth surfaces are vitally important in producing optimal results. Sanding the surface beforehand can help achieve this objective.
Light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper helps smooth rough surfaces and even out their texture, as well as make them more uniform. Following this process, wipe down the area with a damp cloth to remove dust or debris. It is also the time when any cracks or holes need repairing; use a spackling compound to fill them and make sure they won’t become visible once primer and paint are applied.
Prime the Surface
Primers are paint coatings used as the foundation for other colors. A primer can reduce the number of coats necessary for complete color coverage while creating an ideal surface on which topcoats adhere. A primer may also serve to protect surfaces against moisture damage as well as assist with stain blocking and prevent future staining issues.
Priming is essential when painting over glossy surfaces like wallpaper, enamel or metal; paint does not stick well to these glossy surfaces and may require light sanding before priming and painting so that all layers will adhere securely.
Some modern interior and exterior paints are self-priming, meaning they adhere directly to previously painted surfaces without needing primer. However, for flaking or chipping surfaces it may still be advisable to use primer in order to provide a stronger seal against potential future flaking or chipping issues.
Paint the Surface
Preparation for any paint job is key to its success; paint will only stick properly if the surface is clean and free from grease stains; otherwise it may start peeling before it should, costing both time and money to replace it prematurely.
A great painting contractor devotes nearly equal attention to both surface preparation and painting itself. They will remove outlets and wall heating vents, cover carpeting with tarps and move or cover furniture as necessary – not forgetting electrical wires which must be clearly labeled or covered.
Contractors using Dulux All Metal Primer to prepare metal surfaces prone to rust typically use blasting techniques before using Dulux All Metal Primer as part of their prepping plan, which helps prevent further rust formation while creating an ideal base coat surface for subsequent paint coating. Usually this level of preparation is used on large industrial projects.