Interior painting with a flawless finish is our forte

"As the founding member of Lady Decorators I head up a team of female professional interior decorators who specialise in interior painting and wallpapering for a flawless finish.

To obtain the immaculate painted finish with which we have become associated, we take a scrupulous approach to surface preparation – here I share some of my secrets:

Thoroughly cleaning the area

Paint doesn't adhere to oils so cleaning walls is essential; in the kitchen where grease, oil and food residue can stick to walls; in bathrooms where airborne particles of products, such as conditioner and other cosmetics, can cling to surfaces; and around light switches, door handles and other frequently touched spots where skin oils are present. Use a degreaser on tough areas, such as walls adjacent to cookers and hobs, and a household cleaner for less stubborn areas. Rinse with water to ensure the cleanser is thoroughly removed and then allow to air dry.

Prepping the walls is a must

Prior to painting you must scrape and sand any uneven areas and then fill any holes, cracks or dents.  Take the sand paper down from a coarse grade to the finest grade to get a perfect surface finish. This process will create a lot of dust which must be removed prior to painting.

Interior painting onto brand new fresh plaster

Fresh plaster should be smooth and level, however, once the plaster is fully cured we go over with fine sandpaper and wipe away excess dust. It will then require a 'mist coat' of thinned-down water-based emulsion which will act as a sealant and halt the 'suction' effect of new plaster.

Dealing with efflorescence, mould and mildew

Efflorescence is a white crystalline deposit which appears as a result of mineral salts being pushed to the surface of masonry, concrete or plaster walls by moisture ingress. Efflorescence appears as a crunchy texture and can sometimes be strong enough to 'blow' the plaster and damage décor. We remove all efflorescence and surface contaminants through various methods, such as wire brushing and dry abrasive brushing, and then treat the affected areas to stop further reaction occurring.

Mould and mildew stains can ruin walls – simply wiping them off and painting the wall is not enough. Organic growth needs to be treated with a dedicated antimicrobial cleanser or a diluted bleach solution and then a mould sealant. Caution must be taken with porous surfaces, such as wood, as sanding can release thousands of mould tiny spores into the air – in severe cases we recommend replacing surfaces that are badly affected by mould.

Coping with children's unwanted 'graffiti'

We frequently see children's graffiti and teenagers' bedroom 'murals' which require removal in advance of painting. Dependent on what they have used – wax crayon, spray paint or felt tip pens – we use the appropriate solutions to completely remove the markings prior to painting, as most paint will not cover these."

Call in Lady Decorators: interior painting and decorating experts

To discuss your project, please call us on 07939 318720 or click here to complete our email enquiry form.