For the DIY painter, the temptation of opening a can of new paint and just start dabbing a new coat can be quite intense. We cannot blame you. The unpainted walls before you beg for a new color! You want to work on it while your enthusiasm for the project is still fresh. After all, the walls look clean and ready to be painted, so what could go wrong? Actually, a lot could go wrong.
The best commercial painters in East Bay know the not-so-secret of an immaculate-looking paint finish. There’s a lot of work behind it. The crew spends so much time cleaning, repairing, smoothing, and priming the surfaces that they will eventually paint. It’s called surface preparation, prepping, or prep work.
A successful paint job is not determined by the paint itself. Rather, it’s the surface preparation that goes before painting. It is a key step to an ultimately successful paint job.
While going straight to the painting part may save you time and money, think about the consequences of inadequate prep work – or the absence of it altogether.
1) The new paint cannot stick to dirty walls
The walls may look clean, but they are actually loaded with dust and you may have not bothered to check on them before starting to roll away. Alas, the new paint cannot stick to a surface that’s dirty – and it’s icky. That’s a waste of good paint.
Giving the walls (especially exterior walls) a solid and thorough cleaning is especially important. Even if the walls look superficially clean and spotless, you will be surprised what comes off after a simple wiping with a clean rag or with the help of a power washer.
However, power washing is no match to wiping and scrubbing, which zero in on the dirty surfaces better. You can also do both methods. After cleaning and rinsing the walls, leave them to dry first before proceeding to the next step.
2) Repairs – more than just cosmetic
Prep work also allows you to inspect the surfaces for any damage. If some areas have cracks, holes, and dents, fill them with spackle, let it dry, and sand off the excess.
If you think that these repairs are merely cosmetic, think again. If these signs of surface flaws are left unnoticed, they can lead to more serious structural damage to your home over time.
You also want to start with a smooth base, and the new topcoat won’t stick well to a wall that has holes, cracks, dents, and bumps. This will result in uneven paint.
3) Old paint interferes with the application of topcoat
It’s not always necessary to remove old paint entirely if it still looks good on the surface. But the “old paint” we’re referring to is paint that is flaking, peeling, cracking, or chipping. You will have to remove the loose old paint if you want to start with a smooth base. This is especially true when you’re going to paint older commercial buildings with surfaces that may have several layers of old paint.
Speaking of old buildings, it’s quite likely that they have lead paint or asbestos applied to them. Don’t attempt to scrape them off on your own because it can pose serious health risks. It’s better to have a professional who will test and deal with those elements safely.
4) To prime or not to prime?
Priming the surface is not always necessary, but it is preferable and recommended. The main function of primer is to enable the topcoat to adhere better to the surface. But it does so much more than that!
Primer will also mask surface imperfections, making the topcoat look more uniform and last longer. Those knots in bare wood? The smoke and water stains on the old walls? Without priming, these ugly marks will show through the new paint.
If you’re working on stucco and bare wood, they should absolutely be primed to protect them and protect the topcoat, too.
Priming will also help seal the surfaces if you want to make a dramatic change to your wall color.
Doing surface prep work may not be the most fun part of a paint project. But if you want a smooth, uniform, and long-lasting paint finish, prep work is the secret. It protects your home, your business, your investment.
If you really don’t want to bother with the prep work, no problem – the best commercial painters in East Bay will do the work for you. They will never start a paint job without prepping your business thoroughly, conscientiously, and completely.