Facades
How a facade is prepared before painting
What you see most on a painted facade is the colour. What you notice most over time is the preparation. A well-prepared facade lasts for years; one painted “straight over the top” starts to peel before long. Here we tell you what is done before the first tin is opened.
Why preparation is the most important part
Paint only lasts if it adheres properly to the wall. If there is dust, sea salt, mould or loose old paint underneath, the new paint sticks to that and not to the facade. With the sun, the rain and the wind, it ends up lifting.
That is why, on a facade, a good part of the work is done before painting. It is the part that does not show in the photos, but it is what decides how long the result lasts.
1. Pressure washing
The first step is to clean the facade with pressurised water. This removes dust, built-up dirt, paint that is no longer adhering and, on the coast, a good part of the salt left by the sea air.
Then the wall has to be left to dry properly before carrying on. Painting a facade that is still damp is one of the mistakes that causes the most problems.
2. Making good anything loose
Once the facade is clean, its real condition is easier to see. Paint that is peeling, areas that sound hollow and any part that is not firm have to be removed. Painting over something loose is throwing the paint away.
3. Cracks and fissures
Cracks are opened up, cleaned and filled with a material suitable for exterior use that moves with the small movements of the wall. If they are simply covered over, water gets in again and the crack reappears through the paint.
Large cracks, or ones that keep growing, can be a structural problem. In that case it is not a painting job, and we tell you so.
4. Sealer or primer
Before the paint, a sealer or primer is applied depending on the condition of the surface. It consolidates the substrate, evens out how the wall absorbs and helps the paint adhere uniformly.
5. Now, the paint
With the facade prepared, it is painted with an exterior paint designed for the coastal climate: strong sun, wind and sea salt. We explain why in sea salt and facades on the coast.
Throughout the job, windows, floors, plants and everything that is not being painted are protected.
How we do it
We come and see your facade at no cost, check its condition and give you a fixed quote in writing that sets out what preparation it needs, not just the metres of paint. We work with public liability insurance and give a 1-year guarantee. More information in facade painting.
Frequently asked questions
Does the facade need cleaning before painting?
Yes. Pressure washing removes dust, sea salt and loose paint. Without it, the new paint sticks to the dirt and peels sooner.
Can the facade be painted straight after cleaning?
No. You have to wait for the wall to dry properly. Painting a damp facade causes problems.
Do you repair the cracks before painting?
Yes, fissures are opened up, cleaned and filled before painting. If a crack is structural, it is not a painting job and we tell you so.
Does the quote include the preparation?
Yes. The written quote sets out what preparation your facade needs, not just the paint.
