MAINTENANCE OF PAINTED SURFACES | An Architect Explains

The first thing anyone notices in a space are it’s walls. A poorly executed paint job or chipped surfaces can make a space look bad. Extra maintenance of painted surfaces is especially required in homes that are located on the seaside, since the walls are exposed to salt-deposits. Similarly, surfaces of houses, which are located near industrial areas get damaged due to the pollutants in the air. Paint upkeep should be done on a regular basics, to keep your home looking clean and bright. Here are some tips to ensure that the walls and furniture of your home continue to look as good as new.

WHAT ARE THE TIPS FOR MAINTAINING THE PAINTED SURFACES?

After the Painting is over, it is important to maintain your house so that it remains beautiful. So, spend some time, at least once in three months, for some maintenance activities: –

CLEANING OF PAINTED SURFACES:

Painted surface – First, lightly wipe all loose dust on the walls with a clean white cloth or a sponge. Then remove stains by wiping them with a sponge dipped in a mild detergent. Repeat the sponging with plain water to remove the left over detergent.  Wipe dry. Remove grease stains by wiping with a mild solvent. The solvent should be milder than denatured alcohol, so that it does not cause the painted surface to turn patchy. Follow this by sponging with a mild soap solution. Rinse the surface with clean water. Wipe dry.

Distempered walls- Distempered walls should be also cleaned in a similar manner, but without applying too much pressure as this can cause the paint to peel off. Never use water for spot cleaning unless the wall is totally free from extraneous dust.

Wooden surfaces – Never use water to clean wooden surfaces.

Enamel surfaces – Enamel surfaces should be cleaned with a detergent solution and immediately wiped dry. Never use thinners to clean enamel painted surfaces.

Metal surfaces – If paint on metal or steel accessories is damaged, have it touched up immediately with primer and paint to avoid rusting.

TOUCH UP OF PAINTED SURFACES:

Sometimes, cleaning is not enough and a touch-up is required. Prior to the touch-up, the surface should be sanded to make it even. This can be done first with coarse sandpaper, followed by smoothing with a fine-grain sandpaper. Brush off all debris. Use primer on the surface that needs to be touched up. Then apply denatured alcohol on the surface to be painted. This will help remove any moisture or residue. Follow it up with a coat of paint, which can be applied with a brush, roller or a spray can.

HEAVY DUTY RESTORATION OF PAINTED SURFACES:

In some cases, the wall paint may require heavy restoration. In such cases, liquid or dry commercial cleansers should be used. Dilute the cleanser to achieve the right consistency, as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Next, test the cleanser on a small patch of the surface. Clean the surface as explained earlier. Apply the cleanser from the bottom of the wall to the top, so that the fluid does not run off and dry on the wall. Rinse the surface with water and wipe dry. Although a commercial cleanser can easily be used for smaller areas, it is best to use the services of a professional to handle walls and large surfaces.

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