Last year, you may have done some work on your home such as painting the walls, and the results were likely very satisfying. However, you’re now seeing signs that it’s time for another coat of paint; there are marks on the walls, perhaps a few cracks, or areas where the paint has peeled away. Perhaps you’ve just moved into a new villa and would like to update the wall colors before you get comfortable.

Whatever is the cause, do not immediately begin to paint. Examine the walls first. Some initial preparation can prevent you from fixing the same issues once the task has been completed.

Before deciding when to repaint, you can also learn how often you should repaint your home in the UAE climate.

Check the Walls Room by Room

Begin by looking at every wall in a single room. There could be small holes created by nails, scratches made by furniture, or cracks around windows. Most often these types of issues can be easily seen in most homes.

You need to pay attention to the paint on the wall. If it’s starting to come off, you’ll have to remove all of it first so you can apply another layer.

Water damage requires a separate strategy. When you notice a wet spot on your wall, try to determine what caused it. Painting over the area may temporarily conceal the stain, however, painting over the area does not fix the issue.

Remove Furniture and Cover the Floor

Furniture should be moved from the walls prior to beginning the project. Furniture with a small size may be placed in another area of the house, whereas larger furniture can be placed in the center of the room and then protected.

Covering the entire floor, particularly near the walls of the room, is essential. When painting close to the ceiling or in corners, drips of paint may fall onto the floor. It can be difficult to remove dried paint from the floor.

Remove the wall decor (pictures, clocks, etc.), and use this opportunity to see what is behind those items.

Clean Off Dirt and Grease

A wall doesn’t need to look dirty before it needs cleaning. Dust collects over time, and there are many places where people touch the walls such as near electrical outlets, light switches, and door frames. There is also the possibility of getting grease on your kitchen wall when you cook.

Use a soft cloth to clean away dust. If you have grease on your walls, use a mild cleaning solution which will not harm the paint on your walls. Be careful when cleaning and do not scrub too hard because scrubbing too hard may damage the paint already applied to the wall.

Let the walls dry prior to any other work. Painting over a wet surface may result in improper adhesion of the newly applied paint.

Fix Holes and Cracks

Small nail/screw holes are typically able to be filled using wall filler. Apply a small amount of filler, allow to dry, then lightly sand the area so that it is level.

In addition to this, you may also see some cracking on your door and/or window frames. In many cases, these types of small surface cracks can also be fixed with the same method. However, do not ignore larger cracks that continue to appear. Before you begin to paint over them, you must determine what is causing the cracks.

After finishing your repairs, remove any dust from the wall. Any amount of dust that is left behind will negatively impact the quality of the final product.

Is Primer Needed Before Painting?

You will not necessarily need to prime each wall. If the previous layer of paint is still in good condition, then once you have cleaned the area and prepared it, you can begin applying the next layer of paint.

If you want to understand why primer is used before painting, read this guide to primers and putties.

Often times primer can be used to help ensure that you have the same appearance throughout the entire project if you have had to patch up some areas of the wall, if you have exposed plaster, if you have some types of stains on the wall, or if you are going to be making a major change to the color of the wall. If you are going to be applying a lighter colored paint to a much darker wall then you will most likely need to do more prep work to make sure you get a uniform look.

You can use a variety of paints on different types of walls. However, if you are unsure of which type of paint to choose, ask your painter to examine the wall before deciding on a product.

Do Not Rush the Painting Work

In Dubai, when the weather gets warmer, so do the indoor temperatures. This includes the temperature inside your home or office, and particularly in those areas where you get direct exposure to the sun. As a result, this may have an impact on the rate at which paint dries.

For outdoor walls exposed to Dubai’s heat and sunlight, choosing suitable exterior painting services in Dubai can help you plan the work according to the surface and paint requirements.

Be sure to follow all the instructions provided on the paint container, and allow sufficient time for each coat of paint to fully dry before you apply the next one. If you apply a second coat too quickly, it may negatively impact the final appearance of the surface.

When you have multiple areas to paint, give yourself sufficient time to clean, repair and dry. Working too quickly may result in having to fix your work after the fact.

Can You Prepare the Walls Yourself?

Small rooms that have well-maintained walls will allow you to prepare most of the work yourself. Moving furniture, removing dust, and protecting the floor are easy jobs.

On the other hand, renting an entire villa could be a larger project. There may be long walls, cracked plaster, peeling paint, or even multiple rooms in need of repair. Therefore, these types of projects will likely require more time and more specialized equipment.

For larger projects, professional villa painting services in Dubai can help with wall preparation, repairs and painting.

Before hiring a professional painter, inquire about everything that will be covered by the price. While some estimates may simply include the actual application of paint; other estimates can also include things such as repairing minor imperfections in the wall surface, sanding off old paint, and/or priming areas of concern before they are painted.

Need Help Painting Your Villa?

When considering what type of paint to use on your villa walls, inspect the walls before making a decision. Addressing minor issues prior to painting will ensure that you have a smoother finish with less effort required.

The Villa Painting Service provides homeowners in Dubai with professional painting services to update the appearance of their homes. To learn more about your painting needs and determine if any surface preparation is required on your walls, please contact our team.