What Proper Preparation Involves
Cleaning down surfaces, filling cracks and holes, sanding back rough or flaking areas, and priming bare or patched sections are all standard on every job we take on, including filler and crack repair where needed. Skipping any of these stages is the single biggest cause of paint failure.
Different Surfaces, Different Prep
Bare plaster, old gloss woodwork, previously wallpapered walls and exterior masonry all need different preparation approaches - see our surface sanding and prep guide for how we handle sanding specifically, and our wall sanitisation and priming guide for staining and hygiene issues.
Ready to get started with surface preparation?
Get a Quote for Surface PreparationSurface Preparation Service FAQs
Why does preparation take so long compared to painting itself?
Good preparation often takes as long as the painting, since it determines whether the finish lasts - it is time well spent, not wasted.
Can you prepare a surface without painting it yourself?
We generally quote preparation and painting together as one job, since the two are closely linked, but ask us if you have a specific need.
What happens if preparation is skipped?
Paint applied over dirty, flaking or unfilled surfaces typically fails within months - peeling, cracking or showing through unevenly.
