How to prepare the surface for painting?

If you wish to paint, varnish or simply protect the wall, it is important that the paint adheres tightly to the surface on which it will be applied, so that it remains smooth and withstands environmental impacts. Appropriate surface preparation is essential to achieve an excellent finish.

When preparing the surface, all existing residues and poorly adhering paint must be removed. Using sandpaper, wire brush, and paint removing substances. 

Before you start 

If you are painting the interior, you need to think about the furniture and floor protection, because dust, residues of old paint, plaster and other debris will be released during the work.

Keep children away from the work area, as they may contain toxic materials. Although NWL Builders work with child-safe paint upon request, we strongly advise keeping children away from the working area. 

Perform the work with a mask and gloves to prevent the inhalation of particles and protect your hands.

Clean the surface

Remove dust, disinfect areas affected by mould, and remove any grease that may form a barrier between the paint and the surface.

To remove mould from the surface, using special treatments or apply a solution of household bleach diluted in water in a ratio of 1:3 (use gloves). If this treatment does not completely eliminate mould, sand the contaminated area, and repeat.

If degreasing is necessary, a cloth with detergent or solvent should be used. 

To remove salts that appear on some surfaces, rinse them with plenty of water and brush.

Putty and sanding

After cleaning, the surface must dry before repairing the remaining holes and defects.

Fill these cracks with a spatula and putty. Allow the putty to dry and then sand it well to make the wall finish perfectly smooth.

Surface priming

The purpose of the primer is to coat the pores to achieve better paint adhesion. This should be done with a water-based primer that has a good sealing ability. With this first layer, the surface will be ready for paint.

Prepare wood

To repaint or varnish wood, remove the old coating film with varnish or paint stripper, brushing it all over. Then, using a scraper, you must remove this layer. After removing the film, it can be sanded to achieve smooth and even finish. Now, it’s ready for the application of new varnish, stain, or treatment. Wood treatments help to prevent expansion and contractions due to changes in temperature and humidity.

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