How to Prepare Walls for Painting in Claremont
By Claremont Painters - Expert advice from the professionals
Wall preparation is the most critical determinant of how long any paint job lasts — and in the wet, biologically active Southern Suburbs, preparation requirements are more demanding than in drier Cape Town suburbs. Every step skipped is a weakness that the winter rain and biological growth will exploit.
Step 1: Biological Treatment
In Claremont, Rondebosch and Newlands, treat all biological growth (algae, mould, lichen) with a fungicidal solution before washing. Apply the solution, allow the recommended dwell time, then pressure wash. Never paint over live biological growth — it grows back through new paint within months.
Step 2: Pressure Wash and Assess
High-pressure wash all exterior surfaces. Once dry, assess the condition of existing paint — test adhesion by pressing tape firmly and pulling it off. Poorly bonded paint must be removed before repainting. In the Southern Suburbs wet climate, paint that has lost its moisture barrier also loses adhesion over time.
Step 3: Repair, Prime, Paint
Fill all cracks with flexible acrylic filler. Apply the correct primer — penetrating primer for porous surfaces, bonding primer for problematic substrates. Never skip priming. See our damp guide for what to do if moisture problems are found during preparation.
Claremont Painters never skips preparation. Every job cleaned, treated, repaired and primed before topcoat.