Common mistakes when painting

Mistakes in the preparation

• Not degreasing: grease, nicotine and dirt stop paint from bonding properly.
• Not sanding: new paint does not bond well to a glossy old coat.
• No primer: bare timber or filler soaks up the gloss and gives an uneven sheen.
• Painting over wood rot: the rot simply carries on under the new coat.

It is exactly the steps you cannot see that determine how long your paintwork lasts. The article on primer and preparation goes into this in more depth.

Mistakes during painting

A common mistake is too much paint in one go. A thick coat of gloss sags and runs, and dries faster on the outside than inside, so it stays soft for a long time. Two thin coats are stronger than one thick one. Spreading the paint too far is also a mistake: the coat then becomes too thin to protect. With wall paint you often see lap marks, because someone rolls over a strip that has already dried instead of working wet on wet. On large areas, spraying instead of rolling can prevent that.

Leaving masking tape on too long is another classic: once the paint has dried hard over it, the tape pulls bits away with it. Remove tape while the last coat is not yet completely dry.

Mistakes in timing and conditions

Painting outside in full midday sun, just before a shower or on a morning with dew on the timber leads to poor adhesion and blistering. The weather in Noord-Holland is changeable, so look not only at the temperature but also at the humidity and the forecast for the evening. Read more about this under the best season for exterior painting.

Indoors, using a room again too soon is a common mistake. A chair against a fresh wall or a door closed too early sticks and damages the coat.

The cheap choice that turns out expensive

DIY-store paint without a clear system, one coat instead of two, or skipping the frames because they still look reasonable: it saves money now, but you are back to square one sooner. Oranje Kwast works exclusively with premium brands such as Sigma, Sikkens and Wijzonol and follows the product's application instructions. If you are unsure whether to do it yourself, read paint it yourself or hire a painter.