Identify the material and existing finish, including any restrictions on coating it.
All decorating problems
Surface preparation · H&C advice
Glossy & hard-to-paint surfaces
Smooth finishes can be difficult for a new coating to bond to.
- Paint scratching or peeling off an existing glossy finish.
- Very smooth laminate, tiles or coated joinery needing a different preparation approach.
Understand before treating
What might cause it?
Similar-looking defects can have different causes. Assessment comes before product choice.
A low-key surface, residues or an incompatible coating system can lead to poor adhesion. Not every surface is suitable for every paint.
Preparation & next steps
How we approach it
Clean and prepare as directed, using safe abrasion only where suitable.
Use a bonding primer specified for that substrate and test a small area before full application.
Do not assume one primer works on all plastics, floors or wet areas. Check the current technical data and intended use. Check current product technical data, safety instructions and compatibility; this guide is not a site diagnosis or a guaranteed repair specification.
The right system for the surface
Product selection matters
A suitable primer or sealer may be part of the preparation, but it cannot replace fixing the cause. Zinsser is one of the brands we use; the exact product depends on the surface, defect and intended finish.
Zinsser UK product guidanceOriginal H&C guidance. We are not approved, accredited or endorsed by Zinsser.
Local decorating help
Let’s look at the problem properly.
Share your postcode, the affected surface and what you’ve noticed. Preparation and repairs are assessed before a quote is agreed.