What's the best way to repaint a heritage or character home in Auckland?

The best approach is substrate-first: assess and repair the original timber, plaster and coatings before any finish coat goes on. Heritage and character homes in Auckland carry decades of paint history, moisture movement and original detailing that a standard repaint ignores. At Wall Treats, we diagnose the surface first because most of what protects an older home happens in the preparation, not the final coat.

Can you paint over old or lead-based paint on a villa or bungalow?

Older Auckland homes built before the 1970s often have lead-based paint, which must be assessed and handled carefully rather than simply sanded or painted over. Where lead is present, safe preparation and containment come first to protect your household. We assess coating history during the site visit so the right, compliant preparation method is specified before work begins.

Why is the paint on my recently repainted house already cracking or flaking?

Premature cracking and flaking is almost always a preparation failure, not a paint-quality problem. The surface wasn't properly assessed, repaired or primed before coating. We're regularly called to correct repaints that failed within a year or two, including jobs by other painters and DIY attempts. The fix starts with diagnosing why the previous coat failed, then rebuilding the surface correctly so the new finish lasts.

What is a Level 5 paint finish, and does my heritage home need it?

A Level 5 finish is the highest standard of interior wall preparation, requiring a full skim coat over the entire surface to create a perfectly flat, blemish-free base before painting. It matters most in rooms with raking natural light, dark or saturated colours, or high-sheen systems, where imperfections show the moment the light changes. We specify Level 5 where a home's finish will genuinely be scrutinised, not as a default upsell.

How do you paint a weatherboard and shingle home so the finish lasts?

Weatherboard and shingle homes need a long-cycle exterior system matched to the timber's condition, exposure and movement, applied over correctly prepared and primed boards. Auckland's coastal salt, UV and seasonal movement all shorten the life of a finish that wasn't specified for the conditions. We choose the system based on the substrate and environment, not the margin, so protection holds for years rather than months.

Tell us about your next painting project

Whether you’re a homeowner protecting a cherished house, a trades professional responsible for flawless handovers we'd love to chat. Enquire to book a site visit at a time that suits you.
Ashley will manage your brief and the programme and Daniel will personally assess the site and finish requirements. Expect a clear, realistic written proposal so the work is predictable, respectful, and done to a standard that lasts.

Call Ashley Wong

021 605 044

Postal Address

PO Box 2996, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, New Zealand

How a site visit works (3 simple steps)

Arrange a site visit

Your home’s finish depends on the work you don’t see. A single visit sets the right scope, sequence and product choices — and removes the guesswork. Book a consult and we’ll show you exactly what’s required, how long it will take, and what it will cost.

Typical lead time: 2–6 weeks, depending on season and scope. Fast-track requests are sometimes available for urgent handovers - mention this in the form.

We'll need

Address and best contact number
Photos of the areas to be painted (before access)
Preferred timing windows (mornings/afternoons)

We’ll use your details only to respond about this request. Read our privacy policy.

1 Tell us about the project

Fill the short form below or call us. Add photos or a brief description of the rooms/exteriors to help us prepare.

2 We inspect and advise

Our Project lead Ashley visits you at the scheduled time, inspects the substrate. You'll confirms access and timing, and discuss Premium or Facelift options with a written scope.

3 Receive a clear proposal

Within 3–5 business days we send a written proposal with scope, product spec, timeline and priced variations. If you approve, we book a start date and confirm on‑site arrangements.