Prepare walls and ceilings
New Plaster
- Plaster must be clean and dry before painting.
- Rub off any surface salt that emerges with a dry cloth.
- Do not wash it off – this will simply wet the salts which will then be re-absorbed by the wall.
Previously Painted Walls
- If the walls and paintwork to be re-painted are sound, wash over with diluted washing-up liquid to remove dust and grease.
- Wash from the floor upwards, to ensure no streaks will appear from water running down.
- Rinse clean and allow to dry.
- If there are any cracks, repair with filler, but do give this time to dry.
Dampness
- It is not advisable to paint over damp areas.
- The only real solution to this problem is to find out why it is damp and treat it correctly – this may entail seeking specialist advice.
Mould Growth
- Mould is usually due to a build up of condensation, so improving ventilation will help..
- The affected surface should be sterilised with a solution of Fungicide Solution*, always following the manufacturer’s instructions (* we recommend Sandtex Fungicide Solution, view http://www.sandtex.co.uk/ for details)
Filling Plaster Cracks and Holes
- In cases where the wall has larger holes and cracks, cut them back to a sound edge, removing all loose material. Dust over and apply a filler.
- If the hole is quite large, fill it in stages, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly before applying the next. Sand flat when dry.
- Small cracks should be smoothed over with a fine ‘surface’ filler.