Clean first
Paint won't bond to dust, grease, or mildew. Interiors near kitchens need degreasing; bathrooms and exteriors need mildew treatment. Exteriors get a thorough wash and full dry-out before anything else.
Repair and smooth
- Fill nail holes, dents, and cracks; sand smooth.
- Caulk gaps where trim meets wall or siding.
- Replace rotted wood and re-set popped nails.
- Sand glossy surfaces to give new paint a 'tooth' to grip.
Prime what needs it
Bare wood, drywall repairs, stains, and dramatic color changes all need primer. Stains (water, smoke, tannin) specifically need a stain-blocking primer or they bleed through. Priming evens out porosity so the finish coat looks uniform with no flashing.
Pro tip: Flashing — dull or shiny patches over repairs — is the tell-tale sign primer was skipped.
Protect the space
Good painters protect before they paint: floors covered, furniture moved or draped, fixtures and hardware removed or masked, and clean lines taped where needed. Tidy protection is a reliable signal of a careful crew.
Frequently asked
Only over clean, sound, similar-color surfaces. Repairs, stains, gloss, and bare material all need prep and/or primer first.
Surfaces feel smooth, repairs are invisible under the finish, lines are crisp, and there's no flashing. Ask for prep steps in writing.