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House Painting Preparation: What Proper Prep Involves
Preparation is the part of a painting project that decides how the finish looks and how long it lasts. It is also the part most often reduced when a quote is unusually low.
Interior preparation
- • Clear and cover furniture; protect floors across all work and traffic areas
- • Clean surfaces, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic hallways
- • De-gloss any previously glossy or oil-based finish
- • Fill nail holes, cracks and dents; sand flush
- • Spot-prime all repairs so they do not flash through the finish
- • Caulk trim gaps and mask edges for clean cut lines
Exterior preparation
- • Wash to remove dirt, chalking, pollen and organic growth, then allow to dry fully
- • Scrape and sand loose coatings back to a sound, feathered edge
- • Repair or replace deteriorated wood before any coating goes on
- • Prime all bare and repaired areas with an appropriate exterior primer
- • Caulk joints and penetrations after priming, not before
- • Protect windows, walkways, landscaping and adjacent surfaces
What homeowners can do in advance
- • Decide colours and sheens before the start date
- • Clear small items, wall hangings and window coverings
- • Point out known problem areas such as past leaks or persistent cracks
- • Arrange access, parking and pet containment
- • Trim vegetation away from exterior walls before the crew arrives
Warning signs in a quote
A quote that lists surfaces and colours but says nothing about washing, repair, priming or protection has left the largest variable undefined. Ask for the preparation to be described in writing — it is the fairest way to compare two prices.
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Serving St. Thomas, Aylmer, Port Stanley and Talbotville.