Testing a Surface for Painting

Before painting over a gloss or semi-gloss painted surface check the old paint is in good enough condition to take further coats of new paint. Make cross-cuts over the surface at intervals of about 500mm or so. Place a strip of adhesive tape across the centre of the cross and press and press it firmly to the painted surface. Pull the tape away sharply. If some of the old paint flakes off, the surface must be treated with paint stripper or sanded right back as the old paint is unsound.