Activities
12.3 Applying coatings to various
surface types
Tutor guidance notes
Aims and objectives
At the end of these activity sheets, learners should be able to:
 know what coatings to use on a variety of common surfaces
 describe how to prepare various surfaces for application of coatings
 describe the application methods used for various coatings.
These questions and activities are not intended as formal assessment. However,
the answers should be discussed with the learners as a group to ensure they
have full comprehension of the subject.
Individual teachers will use these questions and activities in different ways. They
could be used at the end of a session to recap; used individually during the
session as a ‘to-the-point’ learning tool; or used as homework. Whichever
teaching method is chosen, make sure that you set and agree upon a completion
date for each activity.
The answers given are not exhaustive and are to be used as a guide only.
Alternative, appropriate answers may be considered.
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
1 of 9
Activities
Candidate name:
Date:
12.3 Applying coatings to various
surface types
Chapter 12: Surface coatings
Aims and objectives
At the end of these activity sheets, you should be able to:
 know what coatings to use on a variety of common surfaces
 describe how to prepare various surfaces for application of coatings
 describe the application methods used for various coatings.
1
These are the eight steps in the procedure for applying coats of various
paints and treatments to exterior, bare, untreated timber. Which order
should the steps be in? Fill in the numbers 1–8.
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
2
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Apply one coat of undercoat.
Apply one coat of gloss.
Prime the surface using oil-based wood primer.
Seal any knots using knotting solution.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply another coat of undercoat if necessary.
Rub down and dust off.
Fill using polyfiller and decorator’s caulk.
These are the six steps in the procedure for staining or varnishing bare,
untreated timber. Which order should the steps be in? Fill in the numbers
1–6.
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
___
___
___
___
___
___
Fill holes with putty or coloured stopper.
Lightly rub down and dust off.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply second coat of wood stain or varnish.
Apply one coat of wood stain or varnish.
Apply basecoat.
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
2 of 9
Activities
3
Describe the five steps in the procedure for applying undercoat and gloss to
previously painted timber.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4
Describe the two steps in the procedure for applying preservative or wood
stain to rough cut timber.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
5
These are the steps in the procedure for painting untreated plasterboard.
One of the steps does not belong in this procedure. Cross out the incorrect
step.






6
Apply one coat of emulsion thinned by up to 20%.
If necessary, fill using polyfiller then lightly rub down and dust off.
Apply basecoat.
Apply one coat of emulsion.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply second coat of emulsion.
These are the steps in the process of painting bare plaster. Complete the
steps by writing the missing words.
 Dry scrape with a scraper or broad ________.
 Apply one coat of _________-resisting primer or one coat of emulsion
thinned by up to 20%.
 Fill any holes or dents using ______________ then rub down using
sandpaper and dust off.
 Apply first coat (____________ or emulsion).
 Rub down and dust off.
 Apply second coat of paint (eggshell or ____________).
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
3 of 9
Activities
7
Describe the six steps in the process of painting previously painted plaster.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
8
These are the steps in the procedure for painting Artex®. One of the steps
does not belong in this procedure. Cross out the incorrect step.





9
Apply one coat of emulsion thinned by up to 20%.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply one coat of emulsion.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply second coat of emulsion.
These are the six steps in the procedure for painting previously painted
steelwork. Which order should the steps be in? Fill in the numbers 1–6.
Step ___ Lightly abrade and dust off.
Step ___ Dry abrade using emery paper or a scraper and wire brush to
remove any rust.
Step ___ Dust off.
Step ___ Apply undercoat.
Step ___ Apply gloss coating.
Step ___ Apply good general purpose metal primer or zinc phosphate to
areas where rust has been removed.
10
What is the difference between the procedures for painting previously
painted and previously unpainted steelwork?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
4 of 9
Activities
11
These are the steps in the process of painting ferrous metals. Complete the
steps by writing the missing words.





Remove all corrosion and _____________ via mechanical means.
Degrease with ________ _________ if necessary.
Allow the surface to dry thoroughly.
Apply _________ with a brush.
Bitumen-coated surfaces will require sealing with quick-drying
_________ sealer.
 ______ coats of paint will be required to achieve adequate film
thickness.
12
Three words are incorrect in these steps in the procedure for painting nonferrous metals. Cross out the incorrect words, and write the correct ones
above them.
 Degrease surface with methylated spirit.
 Galvanised and zinc-sprayed surfaces should be treated with sealing
solution.
 Etch the surface with wet and dry abrasive paper and white spirit to
provide a key.
 Apply one coat of metal primer or oxide primer.
13
These are the steps in the process of painting masonry. Complete the steps
by writing the missing words.
 Clean the surface with water or scrub with a suitable _____________,
remove loose materials and treat any efflorescence.
 Any mould, mildew, algae or _________ should be treated with a
sterilisation ______ before being removed with a ___________ or stiff
brush. The surface should then be re-treated with the sterilisation
______.
 Ensure surface is completely _____ before applying any coating.
 Prime new masonry and older or weathered masonry with
________________ solution or all-purpose _________, applying with a
________. Previously painted surfaces in good condition may not need
priming.
 Subsequent coatings can be applied by brush, roller or ________.
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
5 of 9
Activities
12.3 Applying coatings to various
surface types
Chapter 12: Surface coatings
Answers
1
These are the eight steps in the procedure for applying coats of various
paints and treatments to exterior, bare, untreated timber. Which order
should the steps be in? Fill in the numbers 1–8.
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
2
1
5
3
6
4
2
Fill holes with putty or coloured stopper.
Lightly rub down and dust off.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply second coat of wood stain or varnish.
Apply one coat of wood stain or varnish.
Apply basecoat.
Describe the five steps in the procedure for applying undercoat and gloss to
previously painted timber.





4
Apply one coat of undercoat.
Apply one coat of gloss.
Prime the surface using oil-based wood primer.
Seal any knots using knotting solution.
or 6 Rub down and dust off.
Apply another coat of undercoat if necessary.
or 6 Rub down and dust off.
Fill using polyfiller and decorator’s caulk.
These are the six steps in the procedure for staining or varnishing bare,
untreated timber. Which order should the steps be in? Fill in the numbers
1–6.
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
3
5
8
2
1
4
7
4
3
Rub down using sandpaper.
If necessary, fill using polyfiller or caulk.
Apply one coat of undercoat.
Rub down undercoat and dust off.
Apply one coat of gloss.
Describe the two steps in the procedure for applying preservative or wood
stain to rough cut timber.
 Apply one coat of timber preservative or wood stain.
 Apply second coat of timber preservative or wood stain.
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
6 of 9
Activities
5
These are the steps in the procedure for painting untreated plasterboard.
One of the steps does not belong in this procedure. Cross out the incorrect
step.






6
Apply one coat of emulsion thinned by up to 20%.
If necessary, fill using polyfiller then lightly rub down and dust off.
Apply basecoat.
Apply one coat of emulsion.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply second coat of emulsion.
These are the steps in the process of painting bare plaster. Complete the
steps by writing the missing words.
 Dry scrape with a scraper or broad knife.
 Apply one coat of alkali-resisting primer or one coat of emulsion thinned
by up to 20%.
 Fill any holes or dents using polyfiller then rub down using sandpaper
and dust off.
 Apply first coat (eggshell or emulsion).
 Rub down and dust off.
 Apply second coat of paint (eggshell or emulsion).
7
Describe the six steps in the process of painting previously painted plaster.
 Wash down using sugar soap solution.
 Fill any holes or cracks using polyfiller and decorator’s caulk,
then rub down the polyfiller.
 Dust off.
 Apply first coat (eggshell or emulsion).
 Rub down and dust off.
 Apply second coat (eggshell or emulsion).
8
These are the steps in the procedure for painting Artex®. One of the steps
does not belong in this procedure. Cross out the incorrect step.





Apply one coat of emulsion thinned by up to 20%.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply one coat of emulsion.
Rub down and dust off.
Apply second coat of emulsion.
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
7 of 9
Activities
9
These are the six steps in the procedure for painting previously painted
steelwork. Which order should the steps be in? Fill in the numbers 1–6.
Step 5 Lightly abrade and dust off.
Step 1 Dry abrade using emery paper or a scraper and wire brush to
remove any rust.
Step 2 Dust off.
Step 4 Apply undercoat.
Step 6 Apply gloss coating.
Step 3 Apply good general purpose metal primer or zinc phosphate to areas
where rust has been removed.
10
What is the difference between the procedures for painting previously
painted and previously unpainted steelwork?
For previously unpainted steelwork, use a full coat of primer rather
than spot priming or touching up.
11
These are the steps in the process of painting ferrous metals. Complete the
steps by writing the missing words.





Remove all corrosion and millscale via mechanical means.
Degrease with white spirit if necessary.
Allow the surface to dry thoroughly.
Apply primer with a brush.
Bitumen-coated surfaces will require sealing with quick-drying primer
sealer.
 Four coats of paint will be required to achieve adequate film thickness.
12
Three words are incorrect in these steps in the procedure for painting nonferrous metals. Cross out the incorrect words, and write the correct ones
above them.
white
 Degrease surface with methylated spirit.
mordant
 Galvanised and zinc-sprayed surfaces should be treated with sealing
solution.
 Etch the surface with wet and dry abrasive paper and white spirit to
provide a key.
universal
 Apply one coat of metal primer or oxide primer.
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
8 of 9
Activities
13
These are the steps in the process of painting masonry. Complete the steps
by writing the missing words.
 Clean the surface with water or scrub with a suitable detergent, remove
loose materials and treat any efflorescence.
 Any mould, mildew, algae or lichen should be treated with a sterilisation
wash before being removed with a scraper or stiff brush. The surface
should then be re-treated with the sterilisation wash.
 Ensure surface is completely dry before applying any coating.
 Prime new masonry and older or weathered masonry with stabilising
solution or all-purpose primer, applying with a brush. Previously
painted surfaces in good condition may not need priming.
 Subsequent coatings can be applied by brush, roller or spray.
Painting and Decorating NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2 Tutor Resource Disk 2nd Edition
9 of 9