Surface Preparation and Painting Tips

The preparation of a surface is 90 percent of painting job. Even the highest quality paint won’t adhere properly if the underlying surface is not prepared properly. Good surface preparation means clean and smooth surface.

Here are some important tips for Surface Preparation

Allow newly plastered surface to mature for a period of at least 6 months before painting.
Rectify existing surface problems such as dampness, cracks etc. before actual painting process.
Check for hand prints, greasy fingerprints, algae as well as dirt and stained marks.
Use a scraper, putty knife or scrub brush to remove any dirt, grease, rust, or flaking.
Fill in the holes, cracks and joints with plaster.
Clean and dry the surface.
Make sure the area to be painted is well ventilated as well as free of dust.
As far as possible, don’t paint under much humid conditions.

Tools you can use to prepare surface before paint

(This Picture is Contributed by "Keshav")

Do before starting painting work

Remove materials such as light fixtures, curtains and their rods etc. from the room to protect them paint splashes. The materials which cannot be removed out should be placed at the center and be covered with a canvas or plastic sheet.
Place a large bin with a plastic bag to gather debris or paint splashes. A dirty work place is not only unsafe but can slow the process of painting also. Also make use of canvas to cover the floor to avoid paint splashes.
Insert nails and hooks for pictures. Fill the holes made by nails with plaster and sand before painting again.
Use painter’s tape to cover up the area that you do not want to paint. Also do the same for doors, windows and ceilings that you can not remove.

This is how your room will look alike after base coat or first coat of Primer

(This Picture is Contributed by "Keshav")

Make use of protective measures such as leather gloves, respirator all the time while doing scrap.

Sand the wood lightly in case of new woodwork for new paint.

Use a solution of washing soda to clean walls so that the walls can easily accept the paint.

Damp sponge into the solution and apply on the ceiling first and then on the walls from bottom to top.

Strip layers of paint using a chemical stripper or a heat gun to remove old layers of paint on wood work. Keep a distance of one foot while using heat gun and remove the paint as it flakes.

End result of so much hard work and these tips may be this...

(This Picture is Contributed by "Keshav")

Or this. How sweet...

(This Picture is Contributed by "Keshav")

Checklist for Painting Work

Check all masonry surfaces, voids, pores and cracks are filled with filler. Make sure the wood surface is free from all loose dust. Smoothly rub it with Emery paper).
Check all nail holes, cracks and other defects in wood surfaces are properly filled and smoothed.
Apply sandpaper or wire brush to remove rust, grease, oil and loose mater etc. on steel surfaces. The surface should be dry and free from moisture.

(This Picture is Contributed by "Keshav")

Check the use of primer on painting of new surfaces.
Ensure adherence and reliability of old paint in repainting works.
Verify quality and make of the paint.
Confirm uniformity of thickness for application of each coat of paint.
Observe painted surface for paint drops, brush marks, waves and for variation in color, texture and finish.
Check the places that are difficult to reach such as edges, corners, gaps, cracks. Ensure the joints, bolts and nuts are properly painted.
Check the paint which falls on floors and walls etc. is completely cleaned and glass panes are clean.