Why Proper Preparation Matters Before Painting

When you're having a room painted, it's easy to think the main part of the job is getting the paint onto the walls. In reality, a good finish starts long before the first coat of paint goes on.

We've worked on plenty of properties where the walls look reasonably fine at first glance, but once you start preparing them properly, you can see cracks, old repairs, dents and uneven areas that would stand out once painted.

That's why preparation is such an important part of any decorating job.

What does wall preparation involve?

Every job is slightly different, but preparation can include a number of things depending on the condition of the surfaces.

This might include:

• Filling cracks, holes and dents

• Sanding rough or uneven areas

• Removing loose or flaking paint

• Repairing damaged plaster

• Cleaning surfaces before painting

• Priming areas where needed

• Preparing woodwork and other surfaces

• Making sure previous repairs aren't going to show through the new paint

  
  

It can sometimes feel like a lot of work before you actually see any paint going on, but this is what helps create a much better finished result.

Why can't you just paint over imperfections?

You can, but there's a good chance you'll still see them afterwards.

Paint doesn't magically hide a damaged or uneven wall. In some cases, a fresh coat of paint can actually make imperfections more noticeable, particularly when light catches the surface.

We've all seen walls where you can clearly see old filler marks, roller lines or cracks underneath the paint. Taking the time to prepare the surface properly can make a huge difference.

Preparation can also save you problems later

It's not just about making the walls look good on the day.

If paint is applied over loose or flaking surfaces, for example, there's a greater chance of the new finish failing sooner than it should.

Likewise, if cracks or damaged areas aren't dealt with properly, they may become noticeable again after decorating.

That's why we always look at the condition of the surfaces before deciding what's required.

Every property is different

There's no single preparation process that works for every room.

A recently plastered room might need a completely different approach to an older property with several layers of previous paint. A busy hallway may need more preparation than a room that's hardly used, while commercial properties can have their own challenges depending on how the space is being used.

We take this into account when planning the work rather than simply applying the same process to every job.

The finished result is worth the extra time

Good decorating isn't just about choosing the right colour.

The quality of the finished job is heavily influenced by what's underneath it. Taking the time to properly prepare the surfaces means the paint has a better base to work with and helps achieve the clean, professional finish you're looking for.

At LLB Decorating, we carry out painting and decorating work for homes, businesses and commercial properties, with preparation forming an important part of every project.

If you're considering decorating your property and aren't sure what preparation is required, get in touch with us and we'll be happy to discuss the job and provide some straightforward advice.