Painting dirty, scuffed or damaged walls: what preparation may be needed | SERV4U Blog
A fresh colour needs a suitable surface Painting can change the feel of a room, but a new colour does not remove dirt, grease, scuffs, dents or loose material. Before work begins, the walls should be considered as a surface that needs to accept the new finish properly. Common preparation issues The preparation may include cleaning marks, removing loose paint, filling small holes, sanding rough areas and priming where needed. A wall with a few isolated marks may need only local preparation. A wall that is heavily marked, greasy, cracked or uneven may require considerably more time. Why preparation affects the price Preparation is labour as well as materials. Cleaning, filling, sanding, dust control, masking and drying time can all add to the work compared with painting a clean, sound wall. If the existing colour is strong or the new colour has limited coverage, additional coats may also be needed. When the condition needs a different route Widespread cracking, movement, peeling caused by moisture or a failing substrate should not be treated as ordinary decoration. The cause and extent may need separate assessment before painting is considered. Next step: Send photographs showing the wall close up and from across the room, together with the colour you would like to apply.