Are you about to repaint your office area, warehouse, workshop or other commercial unit?
Well, painting a space like that is different to painting a domestic area. Here are the five things you must do before you crack open a tin of paint…
First, get to know the surface you’re painting
First, take some time to evaluate the surface you’re painting on. A concrete surface intermixed with cinder block walls and steel is going to require a few different types of paint, each suited to particular surface material.
And, it’s something worth spending the money on: buying specialist paint will prevent flaking and peeling to ensure that your hard work lasts as long as possible with a professional finish, rather than going for the ‘one paint suits all’ approach!
Second, test the area
Image Source – By Mrs TeePot
It’s critical that you use testing equipment before you start painting to find out what a room’s environment requires so far as paint is concerned.
Check the air temperature and surface area of the space you’re decorating, as this will affect the dry time between each coat of paint and the over coating times.
You should also test the humidity level, amount of condensation and the area’s dew point. Doing this will ensure that there’s not too much moisture in the air – something that can be a problem if you’re painting a surface.
If your area is very damp, you might need to buy damp-proof coatings or anti-condensation coatings.
Third, invest in the right tools
It might sound like an obvious point to make, but you’re not going to have much fun painting a commercial unit with a standard paint brush or domestic roller.
Bigger areas demand big equipment, so consider buying or hiring professional paint sprayers. Don’t forget to invest in spare accessories such as a clean pole gun, switchtips and filters, and some throat seal liquid to prevent paint from drying on the equipment while you’re working.
Fourth, pressure wash everything
Image Source
Pressure washing will remove dirt and grime from the walls, and will dramatically reduce the speed at which paint peels away.
If you use a pressure washer that packs a punch, you’re likely to take off old paint at the same time as taking off dust, mould and mildew, so make sure you totally remove the old paint, sanding back the area if necessary in order to achieve an even finish with your new application.
Remember, if you’re pressure washing indoors, turn off the electricity first!
Fifth, add a primer
Many people skip primer, but it’s actually a very important thing to do before painting. Primer will act as a sealant for the surface you’re painting on (perfect for surfaces that are very porous – or else the surface will seemingly ‘drink’ your paint).
And, it’s critical to use primer on surfaces that are smooth and difficult to adhere to (such as galvanised steel and hard PVC) as the primer will help to seal the paint to the surface, which means you won’t end up having to paint the surface all over again in the not so distant future.
Main Image Source – By Brittney Bush Bollay