A scraper drags along a timber sill, and the old paint turns to fine chips quickly. The window still binds, and the timber feels soft where rain sat for months outside. On heritage jobs, those small signals often point to moisture paths and weak adhesion later.
A foyer stays open while painters work behind screens, and tenants still need access routes nearby. Commercial crews also juggle tight shutdown windows and strict safety controls on older coatings daily. In Perth, some teams bring in Ascend Painting Services during scoping and early sampling. That keeps notes, repair methods, and paint systems aligned across carpentry, glazing, and access crews.
Start With A Survey That Finds Moisture And Lead Risks
Repainting starts with observation, not sanding, because hidden risk drives most failures on older buildings. Salt air, rising damp, roof leaks, and blocked vents can keep substrates wet under sound looking paint. A survey that tracks those sources helps the program stay realistic and reduces rework later.
Walk each elevation and mark where sun hits hard, where shade stays damp, and where water runs. Check gutters, downpipes, and ground levels, because water entry often begins above or below the coating line. Take moisture readings at joints, end grain, and patch repairs, then record results with photos.
Older interiors and trim can also contain lead based paint, even after several repaint cycles. Plan controls early, because disturbance can spread dust through ducts, corridors, and shared amenities fast. Safe Work Australia covers lead paint controls on containment, hygiene, and waste handling for safer planning.
Use a short risk register so each trade understands what must stay protected during works. Keep it simple, then update it after the first strip test and repair opening visit. This approach supports pricing, tenant notices, and safer staging for ladders and scaffolds each day.
Test Existing Coatings Before You Specify New Systems
Heritage paint layers can include oil, early acrylic, limewash, and later patch coats from spot repairs. If you guess the layer stack, the new film may not bond, or it may trap moisture behind it. Quick field tests help you select prep depth and compatible primers for each substrate type.
Start with a small adhesion test after cleaning, then note where the film lifts cleanly. Solvent rubs can hint at older oil layers, while water based films often soften or chalk under abrasion. Where doubt remains, lab sampling can cost less than repainting a whole elevation twice later.
Timber repairs should match movement and exposure, not just fill a hole and walk away. Use dutchman splices for rotten sections, and seal end grain to slow repeat moisture uptake. On heritage joinery, keep profiles crisp, because rounded edges show badly under high gloss later.
Masonry and render need equal care, because older walls were often built to dry outward. Cement pointing over lime, or trapped salts behind dense coatings, can force paint to blister and push render loose. Confirm joint type, check salt bloom, and choose breathable coatings where the wall needs vapour escape.
Prepare Surfaces Without Removing Historic Detail
Most heritage value sits in edges, profiles, and fine joins, and rough prep can erase them fast. Rotary sanding can round architraves, and aggressive grinding can scar soft timber and old masonry. The safer approach uses controlled tools and slow passes, even when access windows are tight.
Cleaning should remove chalk, soot, and grease without forcing water behind boards and joints during washing. Use low pressure washing where suitable, then allow full dry time before you test adhesion or start patching. Indoors, vacuum sanding with HEPA capture helps keep dust from drifting into occupied rooms nearby.
Containment planning matters on commercial sites, because public access and staged tenancies raise exposure risks. Set exclusion zones, protect air returns, and plan waste routes before scraping begins each shift. Where lead is possible, treat debris as contaminated and keep paperwork consistent for audits later.
A short prep sequence keeps crews consistent across large sites and repeat rooms during staged work. These steps often sit in the method statement, and they also help new starters stay safe. Use a quick sequence like this, then adjust based on substrate and access limits onsite.
- Clean and dry, then run adhesion checks on representative areas for each substrate.
- Remove loose coating to a sound edge, then feather transitions to avoid visible ridges.
- Prime exposed substrate the same day where possible, then seal repairs before topcoats.
Manage Sequencing, Weather, And Site Access In Perth
Perth weather can swing from dry heat to sudden rain fronts, and timing affects cure and gloss. Direct sun can skin coatings too fast, while cool shade can hold moisture and slow through cure. Plan work to follow the building, not just the calendar, and add buffers for cure time.
Break the site into zones that match access, tenant hours, and scaffold moves for safer flow. Paint high risk details first, such as parapets, sill ends, and metal flashings that feed water back. This sequencing reduces water entry while other trades finish carpentry, glazing, and sealant work nearby.
Wind and dust are practical issues on exposed elevations, especially near active roadways and loading bays. Use screens, tack rags, and staged wet edge control, because grit can ruin a finish on day one. Choose application methods that fit conditions, because overspray can travel and trigger tenant complaints fast.
If the project includes heritage signage or decorative features, protect them before any wash down. Masking is not enough on many surfaces, so use rigid covers and clear exclusion notes. This prevents accidental damage, and it also avoids specialist conservation repairs that can stall progress later.
Document Approvals And Hand Over A Maintainable Finish
Heritage repainting may sit under permits, conservation plans, or client standards for colour and sheen. Confirm who approves samples, repair methods, and final finishes, then build hold points into the program. Clear sign offs stop late changes that burn labour, add hire days, and extend tenant disruption.
In Western Australia, listing status can change how teams document scope, samples, and product selection. Heritage Council of Western Australia supports early checks on registers, permits, and reporting needs. Record each stage with dated photos, product data sheets, and moisture readings where it makes sense.
Keep batch numbers for primers and topcoats, and note where repair systems were used on site. These records help the next contractor match coatings and avoid patchwork colour drift during touch ups. Store the pack where facilities teams can find it quickly without hunting through project archives.
Handover should give facilities teams practical notes, not a thick file that nobody will read again. Include wash down timing, touch up rules, and a map of repaired areas for future access. If anchors or roof points were used, list them clearly for safe future maintenance visits.
Good heritage repainting rests on a sound survey, compatible materials, careful prep, and staged delivery on site. Keep safety controls and approvals visible and treat records as part of the finish quality. That way, the next repaint is planned work, with budgets set, and fewer urgent surprises.
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