Frequently asked questions

Fresh plaster needs to be properly dry before you paint, which usually means at least a week per coat of plaster in good drying conditions, and longer over winter. We seal new gib and plaster with a dedicated sealer first so the topcoats bond and the finish stays even. Rushing this is the main reason paint flashes or peels later.

Late spring through to early autumn is the sweet spot, when you get longer dry spells and overnight temperatures stay up. Exterior paint needs surfaces to be dry and the air above about 10 degrees to cure properly, so deep winter and frosty mornings are out. We keep an eye on the forecast and avoid painting if rain is due within a day of finishing a wall.

It depends on what you are painting over. Bare timber, new gib, patched repairs and bold colour changes all need the right primer or undercoat so the topcoat adheres and covers properly. On a sound, previously painted wall in a similar colour you can often go straight to topcoats, and we will tell you honestly which one your job needs.

On a well prepared house, a quality exterior system will typically give you eight to twelve years before it needs redoing, sometimes longer on sheltered walls. The north and west faces that cop the most sun and weather tend to go first. Good prep and washing the house down every year or two makes a real difference to how long it holds up.

Mould has to be killed and washed off first, otherwise it grows straight back through the new paint. We treat it, give it time to work, then wash the surface clean before any paint goes on. We also try to sort out the cause where we can, because mould usually points to a damp or poorly ventilated spot.

Most interior repaints get two topcoats over a sound surface, which gives you an even colour and a hard wearing finish. Big colour changes, painting over dark walls, or covering bare and patched areas often need an undercoat plus two topcoats. We never skimp on coats to save time, because one thin coat rarely looks right and won't last.

Bathrooms, kitchens and laundries need a paint built for moisture, with a low sheen or semi gloss finish that resists mould and wipes clean. Flat ceiling paint in a steamy bathroom will mark and grow mould quickly. We use the right kitchen and bathroom grade products in those rooms so they stand up to the steam and splashes.

Yes, prep and protection are part of the job. We move what we safely can, cover the rest, and mask off floors, carpet, windows and fittings before we start. We tidy up at the end of each day so you can still use the space, and we do a proper clean up when the job is finished.