Preparation is the part of a paint job nobody photographs and everybody feels. A wall that has been cleaned, filled and masked takes paint evenly, needs fewer coats, and holds its finish for years rather than months.
Clear the room first
Move everything you can out of the room and group the rest in the centre under a drop sheet. In Dubai apartments, fine construction dust settles quickly, so cover furniture rather than leaving it open to the air.
Wash the walls
Wipe walls down with a mild detergent solution and let them dry completely. Paint will not bond to grease, dust or leftover cleaning residue, and a skipped wash is the single most common cause of peeling within the first year.
Fill, sand, mask
Fill nail holes and hairline cracks, sand them flush once dry, and mask skirting, switches and door frames with a low-tack tape. Pull the tape while the final coat is still slightly tacky for the cleanest possible edge.
