Preparation

You've heard it said before and we'll say it again, preparation is the key to a successful paint job. In order to determine what needs to be done, careful examination of the existing surface is required, particularly if it has been painted previously.

Items to keep in mind are:

- what type of paint has been used
- do you want to use acrylics or oils
- what colour is it now
- what colour do you want
- in what condition is the existing paintwork
- what expectations do you have of the paint (hard, washable, flexible, etc)
- if the surface is smooth, rough or irregular

These are just some pointers to look for and consider.

Knowing all these facts before you go to purchase your requirements will help Qualichem Staff give you the best advice on what preparation is required and what products are best suited to your needs.

One of the most often asked questions is about whether primers, sealers and undercoats are necessary. Each plays an important role as a component of the whole coating system and the contribution each makes is vital.

Primers:

These have the ability to bond extremely well to bare surfaces ensuring good adhesion for all subsequent coats of paint.

Sealers:

These are used to seal bare and porous surfaces. This prevents other subsequent paint coatings from being absorbed into the material being painted and therefore allows them to provide better performance.

Undercoats:

These provide the "body" to the paint system. They are thicker and have filling characteristics. They therefore assist in providing a smooth, uniform surface onto which a top-coat can be applied.

Tip 1

To find out whether you have oil-based or water-based paint on the surface you want to paint, rub the paintwork with a clean cloth soaked in Methylated Spirits.

In most cases water-based paints will be dissolved whereas oil-based paints will remain unaffected.

Tip 2

Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a surface needs to be stripped of existing paintwork.

To test for this, make a series of small crosses in the paint using a sharp blade. Apply adhesive tape over the area, press it in firmly and pull it off quickly. If the paint comes away from the surface, it needs to be removed.