The title says it all. When it comes to interior painting services, properly preparing the surfaces is one of the most important steps. However, it's also one of the most commonly overlooked or rushed parts of the process. Taking the time to prep your surfaces will ensure better paint adhesion, a smoother finish, and longer-lasting results. Here's a closer look at why proper prep work is so crucial for interior painting success.
One of the main goals of surface prep work is to remove any dirt, grease, oil, or other contaminants. If you apply paint over unclean surfaces, it won't adhere as well and is more likely to chip, peel, or scratch off down the road. Taking the time to properly clean each surface first enables the paint to grip tightly for superior, long-lasting results.
When cleaning interior surfaces in preparation for painting, make sure to use the proper methods for each material you’ll be prepping:
Doing comprehensive surface preparation may feel like a tedious extra step, but it saves significant time and money down the road. Rushing this prep work can lead to poor paint adhesion. It requires extensive touch-ups, extra coats of paint, and more frequent repainting. Taking the time to prep each surface first results in a smoother finish lasts much longer without needing frequent repairs. This prevents having to redo work later and spend more on extra paint and labor.
To general cleaning, proper prep work for interior painting also involves filling any cracks by using filler product. After old wallpaper or paint is removed, the drywall underneath often has damaged areas, you’ll want to even out to create the ideal painting surface.
Using the proper filler products like lightweight spackle or wood filler ensures these patched areas won't sink later. Allow all patched areas to fully dry, then sand smooth. Addressing these surface flaws beforehand results in a much more uniform and smooth final paint finish.
Once any patched areas have dried thoroughly, proper sanding is essential before painting can begin. Lightly sand all these prepped areas using fine-grit sandpaper (120-220 grit) to smooth and remove any surface debris. This helps create an evenly finished surface for the paint to adhere to.
Be sure to wipe off or vacuum up all sanding dust afterward, or it could impact paint adhesion. Proper sanding is key for an ultra-smooth finish.
Another vital part of preparing surfaces for interior painting is primer application. Primer creates a uniform surface that paint can adhere to for a flawless finish. Primer also enables superior coverage from your topcoat paint. It fills pores in the underlying surface materials to minimize the visibility of any patches.
When in doubt, apply primer! It will provide a protective base layer that helps your finished paint look its absolute best.
Finally, don’t overlook using painter’s caulk as part of your surface prep when interior painting. When dry, the caulk eliminates cracks and fills gaps to create one seamless surface for paint to adhere to.
- Where walls meet ceilings
- Inside wall corners
- Baseboard trim gaps
- Window & door trim gaps
- Chair rail seams
- Crown molding gaps
Take time filling any existing gaps with quality caulk. This finishing touch makes trim details and borders appear flush and uniform when painted.
To recap, these six steps are key for ideal interior surface preparation before painting:
Prepping your interior surfaces before painting may involve a few extra steps initially. But this upfront time investment will pay off exponentially in your painting end results. Taking shortcuts when prepping surfaces often leads to poor paint adhesion. So, avoid that.
When faced with lackluster paint outcomes inadequate surface prep is almost always the culprit. Don’t let subpar prep work undermine all your hard painting efforts! Invest the time prepping properly so your painted interior looks its very best for years to come.
At Xpert Painting Plus, we know how crucial proper surface preparation is for achieving flawless, interior paint results. For expert interior painting services with a focus on comprehensive surface preparation, contact Xpert Painting Plus today!
