Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform the look and feel of a room. If you aim for perfectly painted walls, it’s better to hire commercial painters in Pleasanton. They know that the secret of a good commercial paint job is not necessarily applying the topcoats itself, but their work before that.
Of course, the “work” refers to surface preparation or prep work. Prep work is essential because the topcoat cannot adhere well to the surface if it is not prepared – either it is dirty, it has flaws, or both issues are present.
Anyone excited to get to the painting part will fail to grasp the importance of prep work. The DIYer may dab on a new coat of paint right away onto a dirty, wet, damaged surface, etc. When the paint is applied to a surface that’s not prepared well, the paint will peel, crack, flake or bubble up because it is not sticking well to the surface.
That is why it pays to hire commercial painters. They will come to your establishment to assess your building’s surface – this is the first step in the right direction. After that, they will proceed to do the cleanup and the prep work before they finally paint the surface.
It is understandable why many people skip the prep work and paint the surface right away. While prep work itself is not a complicated job, it is time-consuming and tedious. Professional commercial painters have an experienced team of painters who can finish the work in a timely fashion. They also have the proper tools to help them make the surface ready for paint or any other coating.
Prep work usually consists of:
- Protecting items and any surface or item that will not be painted with a cover. Any movable furnishings must be taken away and relocated during the painting process. They will cover fixed furnishings and other items with drop cloths. Certain parts of a building, such as trims on doors and windows, should be covered with painter’s tape.
- Cleaning interior surfaces mostly consist of wiping with a cloth dampened with water or cleaning solution. But when it comes to cleaning exterior surfaces, the work is much more complicated as they are exposed to elements such as heat, moisture, and pollution. Depending on the building’s external surface condition, there are various cleaning methods, ranging from removing mildew to power washing to abrasive cleaning.
- Letting it dry – A clean, dry surface is the key to a successful paint finish. The paint will not stick to a surface that’s wet or damp. After cleaning and washing the surface, especially if you power-washed it, allow the surface to dry completely.
- Scraping off loose paint – The surface should be either bare or have the existing paint well-adhered. Any old paint that’s peeling, flaking, or coming off loose will have to be scraped off. If you leave peeling or loose paint and apply a new topcoat, the paint job will be a complete failure. An average paint scraper (or even everyday items like your old credit card) will do well for light scraping, while a strong blade is ideal for heavy-duty scraping. After scraping the problem area, sand it to make it look even.
- Caulking – Caulk or caulking is a material used to seal joints or seams of a building. This will prevent water from leaking into the building and potentially damage the structure and its contents. It will also make the finishing topcoat look more even and uniform. If you see any damage to these joints or seams, applying new caulk will solve the problem. After using caulk, allow it to dry completely before proceeding to the next steps.
- Repairing damaged surfaces – The good thing about cleaning and repairing surfaces is that it will help reveal flaws that you might not have usually noticed. Some areas of your commercial building may have holes, cracks, or dents. If it’s a wood surface, problems such as splitting or rotting may show. Rust stains are also a common problem when you’re dealing with surfaces with metal fixtures. These problem areas have to be fixed because if you paint on damaged surfaces, the resulting paint job will be a total disaster.
- Priming – A primer helps in improving the adhesion of the new paint. It also offers additional durability and gives the painted surface a better appearance. A primer can also block undesirable stains or hide dark colors if you plan to cover the surface with light-colored paint.
The time and effort spent on prep work will pay off later with a good paint finish that will always look good and last for many years. If you are ready to give your business a facelift, hire only licensed and certified commercial painters in Pleasanton. They are dedicated to providing their customers high-quality results and superior service.