Commercial painting is a worthwhile investment that helps create positive first impressions, while protecting surfaces from damage and daily wear and tear. However, a paint job is only as good as the effort put into surface preparation!
In this article, we will look at the importance of proper preparation in commercial painting for a flawless, lasting finish, straight from our team of professional painters in Victoria.
What is involved in proper paint preparation?
As professional commercial painters in Victoria, we use industry best practices to ensure high-quality results. Our process begins with a thorough inspection to determine what finishes are currently used on each surface and the level of prep work required. This might include:
- Pressure washing
- Scraping away paint layers
- Sanding
- Caulking
- Priming
This is the best way to ensure a smooth surface that is ready for paint, resulting in a flawless, durable finish for your commercial space.
Removing Old Caulking to Increase Comfort and Prevent Leaks
Professional painters in Victoria take the time to remove old caulking around window frames and replace it with new caulking to create a more paintable surface. This not only looks better, but also helps increase comfort levels and prevent leaks. The new caulking improves energy efficiency, while creating a professional finish.
Prep by Commercial Victoria Painters Protect Your Assets
The first step in commercial painting projects is ensuring your assets and property are protected. Accidents happen, and painting is messy work that is prone to splatter and mishaps during application. As a result, it’s essential to cover your furnishings, flooring, windows, and equipment before work begins.
For outdoor projects, we also ensure your property is protected including landscaping, sidewalks and walkways, steps, windows, signage, etc., to maintain a professional, presentable facade.
Prep Work Creates a Clean, Dry Surface
Proper washing and drying of surfaces ensures that paint adheres properly. You’d be surprised how the presence of things like grease from hands or unexpected sticky buildup from spills on walls can interfere with proper paint adherence. We also have to remove dust and cobwebs that cause small lumps and bumps in the paint finish.
Cleaning solutions and water can also cause reactions, including tiny bubbles that burst and create a pocked look on some surfaces. As a result, it’s important to take proper steps to clean and dry surfaces and wipe away residue to create a pristine surface before painting begins.
Commercial Victoria Painters Repair Cracks, Holes, and Damage
Whether we’re painting wood, metal, drywall, or any other type of material, a close inspection for damage is an essential step in painting prep work.
We ensure all noticeable damage is repaired using the right fillers to create a durable, smooth surface. These materials are also allowed proper drying time before we perfect the finish using methods such as sanding.
Proper Prep Work Ensures Strong Adherence
Taking the time to prep surfaces ensures proper adherence to various paint types used in commercial settings. For example, applying latex paint directly to oil-based paint leads to peeling and scratches. This is because the high-gloss finish doesn’t allow the latex paint to cling to the surface.
Peeling doesn’t occur due to dings. Instead, it is a chemical reaction between the two types of paint bases that creates a terrible mess. To ensure strong adherence, a good sanding followed by the right primer is required.
Prep Work by Commercial Painters in Victoria Keep Surfaces Smooth
In extreme cases where several layers of paint are present, we usually have to take more drastic measures using a scraper. This is most common on exterior projects, or older buildings where paint has been applied over several decades without proper surface preparation.
A scraper will also remove loose paint that has bubbled due to improper application, as well as flaky bits of paint caused by age. Once all the loose paint is removed, we can get started with a sander to create a completely smooth surface.
Power Washing Prepares Commercial Exterior Surfaces
Exterior surfaces have unique needs when it comes to surface preparation. Using a power washer is often required to remove things such as mould, algae, contaminants like salt residue, bird poop, insect carcass or cocoons, spider webs, and more.
Applying paint to any of these contaminants will a) cause issues with adherence, b) interfere with protection against the elements, and c) allow biological regrowth such as mould and fungi that cause unsightly discolouration.
Prep Work by Commercial Victoria Painters Blocks Stains
Commercial space can present unexpected stains from a wide variety of non-toxic contaminants. Without proper preparation, these stains will bleed through the paint finish, even after several coats. Applying a stain-blocking primer creates a solid seal that prevents stains from bleeding and produces consistent colour across every surface.
Prep Work Improves Your ROI
Commercial painters are worth the investment as long as they follow correct prep work best practices. When surfaces are properly prepared, they ensure longevity of painted surfaces, thus increasing your ROI.
You’ll see impeccable results that work harder over time (compared to poorly prepped or unprepped surfaces), helping you avoid the costs of repainting. This also maintains a professional appearance that reflects positively on your brand.
For landlords, you can charge more for a professionally painted space suited to high-end tenants such as professional practices, luxury spas and salons, and top-tier retailers.
The Bottom Line
Professional painters in Victoria who focus on detailed surface preparation simply deliver a higher quality service that brings more value to your commercial space.
You’ll enjoy lasting results that maintain the appearance of your business or meet the needs of your commercial tenants. This translates into improved opportunities to generate income, grow your business, and build wealth.
Contact the Painting Professionals
The experts at Parkside Painting will provide a quality job with proper prep work at a fair price. The results are a durable job completed by an honest, professional company that strives to deliver a great customer experience.
Click here for a free quote today. You can also call us at 250-891-2999 or contact us online.