A full exterior repaint of a four-storey West Side Vancouver home, shown from start to finish
STEP 1: Initial Condition
The condition of the surfaces before any work begins.
STEP 2: Soft Washing
Soft washing to remove mildew, surface contaminants, and accumulated dirt and debris.
STEP 3: Surface Preparation & Protection
Extensive preparation work, including masking, protecting surrounding areas, scraping of loose coatings, sanding, priming, and caulking of seams and penetrations.
Step 4: Paint Application
Multiple coats of exterior paint are applied using spray application, with brush and roll used in select areas for proper adhesion and finish.
Step 5: Happy Client
Final touch-ups, cleanup, and a walkthrough inspection are completed before reviewing the finished project with the client.
A concrete step repaint to tackle mildew, wear, and weather damage, shown from start to finish
STEP 1: Initial Condition
The condition of the surfaces before any work begins.
STEP 2: Soft Washing
This step is essential in Vancouver’s rainy climate to help prevent recurring problems.
STEP 2: Scrape & Sand Loose Paint
All peeling or flaking paint is removed, and surfaces are sanded to ensure the new paint adheres properly and lasts longer.
STEP 3: Prime Paint Failures
Exposed concrete or previously failed paint areas are primed. This seals the surface and strengthens adhesion, helping to prevent future peeling.
STEP 4: Paint Application & Finished Project
An appropriate exterior-grade paint is applied to all surfaces to restore the steps. In Vancouver’s climate, steps typically require repainting every 1–3 years.
IN SUMMARY
The Detailed Breakdown of How We Get it Done
1
Soft Wash
We begin with a soft wash of the surface to remove dirt, mildew, and contaminants.
2
Scrape & Sand
Any peeling or failing areas are scraped and sanded back to sound material.
3
Oil Prime Raw Wood
We apply an oil-based primer to raw wood for optimal adhesion and durability.
4
Patch
Cracks and holes are patched to restore the surface.
5
Caulk
Gaps and seams are caulked to prevent moisture from entering.
6
Paint
High-quality Sherwin Williams paints are applied evenly, creating consistent coverage
7
Tidy Up
We clean up the worksite, ensuring your property looks as if we were never there.
Why Surface Preparation Matters
Great painting starts with great surface preparation. At Happy Brothers Painting, we take the extra time to ensure that every surface is properly prepped before any paint is applied. Doing this ensures proper adhesion, durability, and long-lasting results.
Cleaning the surface removes dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and other contaminants that can interfere with the paint's ability to bond. Sanding creates a rougher surface for the paint to adhere to, ensuring better bonding.
By sanding, you also remove imperfections, which helps to create a more even and consistent surface, allowing the paint to go on more evenly and reducing the chance of peeling or chipping later on.
Additionally, it removes any glossy finishes that might prevent the paint from sticking properly.
Priming provides a solid foundation for the paint to adhere to. Primers help seal porous surfaces, preventing moisture from seeping in and causing damage such as peeling, bubbling, or mold growth.
They also help to block stains, discolouration, or foreign substrates that could bleed through the new paint, ensuring a cleaner and more even finish. Priming is especially crucial when painting over new surfaces like raw wood, as it creates a uniform texture for the paint to bond with.
In addition, primers can enhance the paint’s colour vibrancy and extend the longevity of the paint job, making it more resistant to wear and tear over time. It also helps the paint adhere better and reduces the likelihood of premature peeling or chipping.
Skipping or improperly performing this step can result in an uneven or poor-quality finish, causing the paint to deteriorate quickly and leading to the need for costly touch-ups or a full reapplication.
Proper surface preparation is the foundation for achieving a professional and long-lasting paint job.
