Painting & Decorating
QA inspection checklist

Preparation

1. 1.

   Surfaces clean, dry, and defect-free
   What to look forSurfaces dust-free, no greasy contamination. Moisture meter reading on plaster shows it is dry. No flaking previous paint. Mould/efflorescence treated and removed. Skim and joint compound fully cured (typically 5-7 days minimum).
   Acceptable whenPlaster moisture content ≤ 5% before painting (carbide bomb or capacitance meter). Skim cured ≥ 7 days. Surface temperature 5-30°C. RH < 80%. Surfaces wiped/vacuumed dust-free per BS 6150.
   StandardBS 6150:2019 — Painting of buildings code of practice. BS 7079 — Surface preparation. PSA Painting Specification.
   Common defectsNew plaster painted before fully dry — efflorescence, blisteringDust on surface from sanding — paint adhesion failureMould not killed before paint — re-emerges through finishOld paint flaking but painted over — peels in patches within monthsMoisture content not checked on new plaster
2. 2.

   Cracks and holes filled and sanded
   What to look forCracks raked back to sound material before filling. Filler shrinks back is over-filled and sanded flush. Two coats of filler on deep holes (depth > 5 mm). Sanded with fine grit (180-240). Dust removed before paint.
   Acceptable whenFiller to BS EN 13963 for joint applications, BS EN 998-1 for cementitious areas. Filled flush ±0.5 mm in 1 m. Surface acceptable to specified finish level — typically Level 4 (matt) or Level 5 (gloss/semi-gloss) per ASTM C840 reference.
   StandardBS 6150:2019 cl.6. BS EN 13963:2014. PSA Painting Specification ASF.
   Common defectsFiller not sanded flat — visible bumps under paintHairline cracks not raked — filler bridges, then re-cracksFiller shrinkage — single coat in deep hole, depression visibleWrong filler type — gypsum filler in wet area = degradesSanding dust not removed — paint adhesion compromised
3. 3.

   Masking and protection in place
   What to look forFloors covered with breathable dust sheets or correx. Skirtings, sockets, switches, frames masked. Furniture/fixtures covered or moved. Edges masked with low-tack tape — removed before paint fully cures to avoid pulling.
   Acceptable whenProtection per BS 6150 cl.7 — adjacent surfaces unaffected by painting work. Tape removed before paint hard-sets (within ~30 mins for water-based). No paint splatter or drips on adjacent finishes.
   StandardBS 6150:2019 cl.7 — Adjacent surfaces. PSA Painting Specification.
   Common defectsTape left until paint cured — pulls film off when removedPlastic dust sheets — slippery, condensation underSockets/switches not masked — paint fouls contactsDoor ironmongery splattered — costly to clean or replaceFloor protection lifted at thresholds — paint drops on flooring

Application

1. 4.

   Paint type, colour, and finish match spec
   What to look forPaint tin labels match the schedule — manufacturer, product, sheen level (matt / eggshell / silk / satin / gloss), colour reference (RAL / NCS / BS 4800). Same batch number across coats on the same surface. Stirring/thinning per data sheet.
   Acceptable whenPaint to BS 6150 / BS EN 1062 (external masonry) / BS 7719 (specifying paints). Colour to BS 4800 / RAL / NCS reference matched on benchmark. Sheen level per spec. Matched batch numbers within continuous areas.
   StandardBS 6150:2019. BS 4800:2011 — Paint colours for building purposes. BS EN 1062-1:2004 — External masonry paints.
   Common defectsDifferent batch numbers on adjacent walls — visible colour shiftWrong sheen — silk used where matt specified, light reflection patchyTrade emulsion used where contract matt or scrubbable specifiedColour close but not exact match to RAL — designer rejectTwo-pack epoxy used straight from tin without activator (single-pack thinking)
2. 5.

   Coverage even — no runs, sags, or misses
   What to look forEven film, no obvious brush or roller marks. No visible underlying colour where paint missed. No runs (vertical drips), sags (curtains), or holidays. Cut-in lines clean. Roller-stippled finish consistent.
   Acceptable whenPer BS 6150 — uniform appearance free from defects under normal viewing conditions (typically 1 m at 90° to surface). No "burning through" of underlying coat colour. Coverage rate per manufacturer (typically 10-14 m²/litre).
   StandardBS 6150:2019 cl.8. BS EN ISO 4628 — Defects evaluation. PSA Painting Specification.
   Common defectsRoller stipple inconsistent — different applicators on same wallRuns/sags below sockets, switches, and arrises — too much paint appliedHolidays / misses — visible at corners and behind radiatorsLap marks — cut wet edge into dry, leaves a stripeBrush marks visible in gloss — over-brushed, paint started to set
3. 6.

   Number of coats as specified

   Record: Coats
   What to look forMist coat (50% diluted emulsion) on new plaster. Two full top coats minimum on emulsion. For gloss systems: primer/undercoat/2 × topcoat. Each coat dry before next applied. Coats tinted differently to confirm coverage.
   Acceptable whenPer PSA Painting Specification: new plaster = 1 mist + 2 emulsion; new wood/MDF = 1 primer + 2 undercoat + 1 gloss; new metal = 1 anti-corrosion primer + 1 undercoat + 2 finish. Manufacturer's overcoat interval respected.
   StandardBS 6150:2019. PSA Painting Specification ASF / Q31. Manufacturer's technical data sheets.
   Common defectsTwo coats only on new plaster (no mist) — patchy coverage, peelsSingle topcoat applied — colour insufficient, see-throughCoats applied within minimum overcoat interval — solvent entrapment, blisteringMist coat too dilute — no bond, peels with first washGloss applied direct over emulsion — fish-eye/crawl
4. 7.

   DFT measured (if specified)

   Record: DFT (μm)
   What to look forDFT measured with calibrated gauge (Elcometer or similar) on metal surfaces. Multiple readings per area, typical 5 readings per 10 m². Calibrated daily on a flat reference. WFT also recorded during application as control.
   Acceptable whenDFT to spec — typical anti-corrosion system 240-320 μm total. Per BS EN ISO 19840: 80% of mean nominal acceptable at any single reading; mean ≥ 100% nominal. WFT ≈ DFT / volume solids.
   StandardBS EN ISO 19840:2012 — DFT measurement. BS EN ISO 12944-5:2018 — Protective paint systems. BS EN ISO 2808 — Film thickness.
   Common defectsDFT below specification on edges and welds — stripe coat missedDFT excessive — solvent entrapment, saggingGauge not calibrated — readings unreliableSingle-point readings used as average — misses cold spotsWFT not checked during application — applicator working blind
5. 8.

   Cut lines clean and straight
   What to look forCut lines straight along ceiling/wall, walls/skirting, around frames. No paint over onto adjacent surface. Brush marks not visible at line. Cut line consistent in width along its length.
   Acceptable whenCut lines straight to ±2 mm in 1 m. No bleed onto adjacent surfaces. Per BS 6150 — clean and straight, no overlap onto adjoining surface.
   StandardBS 6150:2019 cl.8. PSA Painting Specification.
   Common defectsWavy cut line at ceiling — applicator rushing or not using ladder properlyPaint bleed under masking tape — tape applied to dusty surfaceVisible brush marks at cut line — wet edge dried before adjacent rollerPaint on architraves and frames where wall colour cutCut line bowed where ceiling not straight — line should follow ceiling

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