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Preparing Surfaces for Painting - A Basic Guide
April 20, 2005
Designer Colours
Page 5 of 5
Preparing Wood
This advice contains information regarding removing paint and varnish. This can be a very dangerous task if the paint you are removing was made before 1978, as it may contain lead which is very poisonous and hazardous. If you are at all unsure, get a professional to test it. BE VERY CAREFUL.
Old Wood
- Remove dirt and grease using hot water and sugar soap. Do not use any household cleaners.
- Remove all loose, flaking materials from the surface.
- Use a scraper to remove any larger bumps in the wood that make the surface uneven.
- Fill any holes and cracks with wood filler using a Hamilton Putty Knife.
- If the previous paintwork is good, rub it down lightly with fine grade Aluminium Oxide Paper to give the new paint a key. Always sand in the direction of the grain.
- On badly damaged, cracked, bubbled or very old paintwork, strip back to bare wood using Citristrip with a scraper, and then use Aluminium Oxide Paper to smoothen the surface.
- Ensure that the surface is completely dust-free: use a good quality soft bristle dusting brush and finally wipe over with a tack rag before painting or using a woodstain.
- If you are then going to use an opaque paint, use an oil undercoat, but make sure that any bare wood is coated first with Sikkens Onol Primer Undercoat.
- If you are going to use a woodstain varnish such as Sikkens Cetol TS Interior, this can be applied without the need for a basecoat.
New wood
- Fill any exposed nail holes with wood filler and lightly sand the wood with a fine grade Aluminium Oxide Paper. (Aluminium oxide paper is far more effective than ordinary sandpaper as it does not clog). Always sand in the direction of the grain.
- Ensure that the surface is completely dust-free, use a good quality soft bristle dusting brush and finally wipe over with a tack rag.
- If you are then planning on using a woodstain, put three coats of it straight on, lightly rubbing down in-between coats. Always sand in the direction of the grain.
- If you are planning on painting the wood with an opaque colour, then you should first use Dulux Wood Primer, and then an Undercoat, lightly sanding between all coats.
Window Frames
If there is any old cracked or defective putty between the glass and the window frame remove it with a paint scraper and clear it all out. If you do not do this you may later find mould growing. If there is existing mould treat it with HG Mould Spray. Fill any gaps between the frame and glass with multi-purpose linseed oil putty, using a Hamilton putty knife and when it has dried you can proceed to paint the wood.
