Advice sought on painting an appartment

Posted by Boomer11 (94 days ago)

Hi There,

We have just taken the plunge and purchased in Hong Kong. The place we got was decorated around 4 years ago but there are some spots where the paint needs touching up. We decided that we might as well get the place fully painted prior to moving in as it is only around 450 sqft and not a big job.
The contractor has visited and said that "there is no way that he can do this as Hong Kong's humidity requires all of the paint to be removed from the walls and ceiling and then multiple coats must be put onto the bare walls"
It sounds like a good sales line to me. The walls are fine and flat and the paint chips have already been filled so I would have thought a primer and top coat would do. Do you think I am being spun a line and I should go looking for another painter?

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Tags handyman, painter, renovations

Posted by F355 (94 days ago)

Your contractor is 100% correct. If you want a good job, the old paint has to be removed, replastered and then you can apply the paint.

Posted by sarahjames (94 days ago)

Sounds like you are indeed being spun a line, look for another painter. No need to replaster a primer and top coat should be fine.

Posted by F355 (94 days ago)

sarahjames

you are talking utter rubbish. by applying primer and top could you just throw out your money on the window as you have to do the job again.

Posted by sarahjames (91 days ago)

F355 - ever considerd that it maybe you that does not know what you are talking about?
One would certainly not need to replaster, sounds like you are a painter/decorator by trade and perhaps would spin a line to customers to obtain more money for the job?
Primer and top coat would be more than adequate. Suggest the OP gets a second opinion and hopefully it will not be F355 who is your contractor otherwise you will end up being fleeced no doubt.

Posted by TomDay1 (91 days ago)

From what you have said the wall surfaces are in good repair so they should only require a few coats of paint 2 should be fine or a primer and two coats of paint.

Judging from what you hav said you will be wasting time and money doing any more & replastering would be a waste.

Get a few decorators in to quote for you, there are some good ones out there, unfortunately there are a few who will try to charge you as much as possible when it is not necessary.

Posted by Boomer11 (90 days ago)

Thanks a lot for this guys. It has been really helpful and we have saved a lot of money.

Posted by Loyd Grossman is Miss Venezuela (87 days ago)

I repainted my apartment in UK fashion and the white paint came off the ceiling - actually it fell off the ceiling after it had dried so it wan't that difficult to redo. The walls and ceiling need to be sanded down, then washed and left to dry thoroughly. For the ceiling, you should use Nippon Paint (just ask the guy in the hardware shop that you want it for ceilings). It's best to buy Japanese paint as they have the same climactic conditions as HK.

Posted by DaHKGKid (74 days ago)

Simply Sand, Repair Troubled Spots, Wash Clean all residue, apply primer and proper paint. Done.