How Do I... Prepare for a Paint Job?
A successful paint job all comes down to preparation – an expert reveals how you can achieve a beautiful finish
Georgia Madden
10 March 2018
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Warren May, paint accessories buyer for Bunnings, shares a step-by-step guide to preparing for a perfect paint job.
What should I do first?
First, remove what furniture you can from the room and cover up the rest. This will give you more space (and protect your furniture), which makes the process of painting both easier and safer.
Tape up or temporarily remove door hardware. Then tape up or cover power points, the blades of ceiling fans, architraves and skirting boards. Cover the floor and any large pieces of furniture with drop sheets to protect them from paint spills.
Tip: Put any hardware you remove from doors or furniture in a sealed and labelled plastic bag so you can return it easily.
First, remove what furniture you can from the room and cover up the rest. This will give you more space (and protect your furniture), which makes the process of painting both easier and safer.
Tape up or temporarily remove door hardware. Then tape up or cover power points, the blades of ceiling fans, architraves and skirting boards. Cover the floor and any large pieces of furniture with drop sheets to protect them from paint spills.
Tip: Put any hardware you remove from doors or furniture in a sealed and labelled plastic bag so you can return it easily.
How should I prep walls?
You’ll need to fill in any cracks and holes, and then sand down the surface. To do this, apply two coats of a plaster compound that’s suitable for sanding to the wall. Once dry, lightly sand down the surface until it’s smooth.
Use a flexible sealant to fill any gaps around cornices and skirting boards.
You’ll need to fill in any cracks and holes, and then sand down the surface. To do this, apply two coats of a plaster compound that’s suitable for sanding to the wall. Once dry, lightly sand down the surface until it’s smooth.
Use a flexible sealant to fill any gaps around cornices and skirting boards.
Do I need to clean them?
Yes, any surface you plan to paint should be clean, dry and dust-free. Before you start painting, you should wash walls down with a sugar-soap solution. This removes any contaminants that could affect how well paint adheres to the wall surface. You’ll end up with a far better finish.
Yes, any surface you plan to paint should be clean, dry and dust-free. Before you start painting, you should wash walls down with a sugar-soap solution. This removes any contaminants that could affect how well paint adheres to the wall surface. You’ll end up with a far better finish.
How should I deal with stains?
You can remove mould with a solution of one part bleach (or white vinegar) and three parts water. Wear gloves and apply to affected areas with a sponge or sprayer. Leave for 15 minutes, then thoroughly rinse the area with clean water to neutralise the bleach. Repeat if necessary.
For stubborn mould, you may need to apply a mould killer.
To remove water stains, first wash them with a sugar-soap solution. Once dry, apply a quick-drying, oil- or shellac-based primer undercoat over the stained area, to help prevent water from bleeding through.
You can remove mould with a solution of one part bleach (or white vinegar) and three parts water. Wear gloves and apply to affected areas with a sponge or sprayer. Leave for 15 minutes, then thoroughly rinse the area with clean water to neutralise the bleach. Repeat if necessary.
For stubborn mould, you may need to apply a mould killer.
To remove water stains, first wash them with a sugar-soap solution. Once dry, apply a quick-drying, oil- or shellac-based primer undercoat over the stained area, to help prevent water from bleeding through.
How do I deal with previously painted surfaces?
I’d recommend applying an undercoat if:
I’d recommend applying an undercoat if:
- you’re painting over a surface that has been painted before,
- you’re changing from a dark wall colour to a lighter one,
- holes and cracks in the wall have been filled in, or
- the existing paint is cracked, peeling or flaking. In this case you’ll need to scrape, sand or strip it back before applying the undercoat.
What’s good to know about brushes?
- Good-quality brushes will be easier to work with and give you a better finish, so buy the best you can afford.
- Buy a mix of different-sized brushes to cover different parts of the home, such as walls, architraves and window trims.
- On bigger jobs, wash brushes regularly during use to prevent excessive paint building up on the bristles.
- Wash brushes in relevant solvent and warm water when finished and allow to dry thoroughly before storing away.
What’s good to know about rollers?
- They come in various fibres, including microfibre, polyester blend, wool, mohair and foam.
- Wool is considered best for applying water-based paints as it holds and releases the paint well. But a good-quality polyester or microfibre roller will perform well too, and costs less.
- Use a foam roller to apply oil-based gloss and semi-gloss paints to smooth surfaces.
- Rollers come in different lengths, with 180 millimetres, 230 millimetres and 270 millimetres being the most common sizes.
- The surface being painted and the paint type will determine the pile (or ‘nap’) length you should choose. For example, a 5-millimetre nap is best for gloss and semi-gloss paints on smooth surfaces such as doors. A 10- to 12-millimetre nap is recommended for flat, low-sheen and semi-gloss paints that are commonly found on plasterboard walls and ceilings. And an 18- to 36-millimetre nap is best for rough surfaces such as render and brick.
When is it best to use spray paint?
Spray painting is most commonly used for painting tricky surfaces such as picket fences, Colorbond steel, lattice and brickwork.
Spray paints are also ideal for applying high-gloss paint to smooth surfaces.
Spray painting is most commonly used for painting tricky surfaces such as picket fences, Colorbond steel, lattice and brickwork.
Spray paints are also ideal for applying high-gloss paint to smooth surfaces.
Which type of ladder is best?
A small two-, three- or four-step A-frame step ladder with a safety support for your legs is suitable for painting interior walls. For bigger projects, scaffolding (an assembled platform) might be a better option as it will give you a wider, deeper working area. You can construct a platform from ladders and planks.
Make sure your ladder sits on firm, level ground and that you follow all safety instructions before ascending it.
A small two-, three- or four-step A-frame step ladder with a safety support for your legs is suitable for painting interior walls. For bigger projects, scaffolding (an assembled platform) might be a better option as it will give you a wider, deeper working area. You can construct a platform from ladders and planks.
Make sure your ladder sits on firm, level ground and that you follow all safety instructions before ascending it.
Is it true I shouldn’t paint on very hot or cold days?
It’s best to paint when the surface and air temperatures are between 10°C and 35°C degrees. Humid or or wet conditions will mean that paint takes longer to dry. If it’s too hot, paint can be difficult to apply.
It’s best to paint when the surface and air temperatures are between 10°C and 35°C degrees. Humid or or wet conditions will mean that paint takes longer to dry. If it’s too hot, paint can be difficult to apply.
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Weatherboard, render and brickwork?
I would have thought that 35°C degrees would be too hot to paint???
30 degrees and under is preferable.