Why surface preparation?
Paint does not hide the condition of the surface it is applied to; more often than not it makes it more obvious. Paint applied over a dusty, greasy, damp or loose surface can blister, flake or look patchy within a short time. For this reason, surface preparation is just as important as the application itself.
Step by step preparation
- Free the surface of dust, dirt, grease and loose particles.
- Remove old paint layers that are blistered, cracked or poorly bonded.
- Repair cracks, holes and voids with a suitable repair or filling material.
- Allow the repaired areas to dry, then sand them down.
- Remove all sanding dust from the surface.
- If there is mould, algae or damp, eliminate the source first.
- Apply a suitable primer on highly absorbent or chalking surfaces.
Common mistakes
- Painting new plaster before it has had time to dry.
- Leaving sanding dust on the surface.
- Painting over damp without eliminating its source.
- Skipping the primer on an absorbent surface.
- Carrying out exterior work in unsuitable weather conditions.
Before you start applying
Once the surface is dry, clean and sound, you can move on to application. For product specific waiting times, thinning and coverage information, refer to the details on the product packaging and to the technical data sheet.
These guides contain general application information. For product-specific values, refer to the product packaging and the technical data sheet.
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