“The painter will fix it.” It’s a line most painters have heard before, usually followed by a bit more work than anyone had planned.
This job at a Newcastle home near New Lambton was a good example. While preparing the exterior for painting, we found rotten timber tucked away at the bottom of a trim. Before we could get on with the painting, it needed some attention.
A little surprise under the paint
From a distance, it wasn’t much to look at. Up close, you could see the timber had broken down beneath the old paint.
Painting over it wasn’t going to fix anything. We had to remove the rotten material and see what we were left with.
This is the sort of thing that can throw a painting job off track. Sometimes it means getting a carpenter in to replace the timber, then coming back to paint once that’s done. For a small repair we can reasonably handle, we’re happy to talk it through with the owner and take care of it as part of the job.
A quick look at the work behind the finished repair. This video has on-screen captions and no sound.
Getting the shape back
Once we’d removed the rotten timber, we sealed the exposed area with an oil-based stain-blocking sealer.
Then came the builder’s bog. Filling the hole is only part of it—you’ve also got to get the shape right so the repair sits neatly with the original timber.
We built it up, shaped it and sanded it back, paying attention to the edges and the profile of the trim. It’s a small detail, but you’d notice it if it wasn’t right.
Ready for the paint
With the repair shaped and sanded, we undercoated it again with the sealer, then finished it with two coats of Dulux Weathershield in Woodland Grey.
Once it was painted, the repaired section blended back into the surrounding trim. No missing corner catching your eye—just a neat finish.
So, will the painter fix it?
Sometimes, yes.
We’d always prefer to find sound timber ready to prepare and paint. But houses have a habit of throwing in a surprise or two.
If it’s a small repair we can tackle properly, and the owner is happy with that option, we’re happy to help keep the job moving. It can save arranging another trade and waiting for a separate visit for a little bit of work.
There’s a limit, though. If the damage needs timber replacement or involves something structural, that’s a job for a carpenter. We’ll be upfront about that.
On this one, a bit of extra preparation got the trim back into shape and ready for its fresh coat of paint.
“The painter will fix it.” This time, we did.
Thinking about an exterior repaint?
The preparation doesn’t always make it into the finished photos, but it’s a big part of the work. This little repair shows what can happen before the first finish coat goes on.
If your home is ready for a freshen-up, get in touch for a free quote. We’ll have a look and talk through what needs doing.