| Interior:
Whilst interior decorating works each have an
individual style and specific issues, there are significant areas of common
practice that we will adopt for every job.
Preparation
The finished job can only be as good as the preparation; if
the surface is not adequately prepared, a poor finish will result. Before
the commencement of any work, the area is cleared of furniture and other items
as far as is possible. Any remaining items of furniture, or carpets that
are to remain, are carefully sheeted over with plastic and cotton dust sheets.
If floor coverings are to be kept, all edges are masked to prevent any paint
contamination.
Wall and ceiling lights are removed and all door and window
furniture is removed and set aside - we do not paint over fittings. Light
switches and sockets are loosened from the plaster surface and protected with
plastic to prevent paint splashes. Where this proves impractical, all face
plates are thoroughly cleaned once the work is completed. Wherever
possible, all previously painted surfaces are washed down thoroughly to prepare
the surface for painting.
Interior woodwork
- Previously painted surfaces on which the coating is in good
condition are washed with a solution of sugar soap
- Loose and flaking paint is scraped or removed using a hot air
gun
- Exposed knots are treated with a coat of shellac knotting
- All bare wood is sanded and one full coat of solvent borne
primer is applied
- Timber frames around glass are bladed off to remove excess paint
- Holes are filled with filler and the whole surface is sanded to
a smooth finish
- Areas requiring a flexible repair are filled using decorator’s
caulk
- The woodwork is finished with two coats of undercoat and one
coat of gloss finish
Plasterwork
- Sound paintable existing wall coverings
are prepared to accept a new paint system
- Vinyl, patterned or unwanted wall
coverings are removed with a steam stripper down to bare plaster
- Defective coatings are scraped back to a
sound edge
- Powdery and friable surfaces are sealed
with an appropriate stabilising primer
- Holes are filled with a plaster based
filler and sanded to a smooth finish
- Any defective areas of plasterwork are
removed, the area prepared and then re-plastered with an appropriate
finishing plaster
- Previously papered surfaces are lined with
1000 grade lining paper
- New plaster is sealed with a well-thinned
coat of emulsion paint
- The prepared plaster surface is finished
with 2 full coats of emulsion paint
Exterior:
Due to the increased wear from the weather, we recommend the
use of Dulux Weathershield paints for all exterior joinery. This has
proven itself to be a particularly durable and long lasting pain finish for
exterior work.
Preparation
As with interior work, the finished job can only be as good as the preparation; if
the surface is not adequately prepared, a poor finish will result.
Exterior woodwork
- Previously painted surfaces on which the coating is in good
condition are washed with a solution of sugar soap
- Loose and flaking paint is scraped or removed using a hot air
gun
- Decayed timber is removed and the remaining timber is treated
with a clear wood preservative
- Any loose putty is raked out and replaced
- Exposed knots are treated with a coat of shellac knotting
- All bare wood is sanded and one full coat of solvent borne
primer is applied
- Timber frames around glass are bladed off to remove excess paint
- Holes are filled with filler and the whole surface is sanded to
a smooth finish
- Areas requiring a flexible repair are filled using decorator’s
caulk
- The woodwork is finished with two coats of undercoat and one
coat of gloss finish
- Paint splashes are removed from the glass and windows cleaned
with glass cleaner
Exterior masonry
- Defective coatings are scraped back to a
sound edge
- Where required, surfaces are washed down and areas of mould treated
with a fungicidal wash and growth inhibitor
- Powdery and friable surfaces are sealed
with an appropriate Weathershield stabilising primer
- Holes are filled with a cement based
filler and sponged/sanded to a smooth finish
- The prepared surface is finished with 2 full coats of exterior
masonry paint
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