Identify the likely contamination before choosing a cleaning method.
All decorating problems
Surface preparation · H&C advice
Grease & surface contamination
Paint may crawl, separate or fail to grip a contaminated surface.
- Greasy patches, fish-eye-like gaps or uneven paint coverage.
- New paint failing on kitchen walls, doors or frequently handled surfaces.
Understand before treating
What might cause it?
Similar-looking defects can have different causes. Assessment comes before product choice.
Cooking grease, polish, silicone, cleaning residues and other contaminants can stop a coating from wetting or bonding correctly.
Preparation & next steps
How we approach it
Clean thoroughly with a suitable product, rinse where required and let the surface dry.
Test adhesion and compatibility before applying the chosen primer and finish.
Priming is not a substitute for removing contamination. Do not mix cleaning products; follow the label and ventilate the area. 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.