CATEGORY FAQS
Painting & Decorating FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about our painting and decorating products, preparation, and application.
About Our Painting & Decorating Supplies
Our painting and decorating range includes everything you need for a professional finish – from trade paints and primers to brushes, rollers, fillers and preparation materials.
What's Included
Why It Matters
The right materials and methods ensure your decorating work looks better, lasts longer, and performs well in any environment.
Choosing the Right Painting & Decorating Products
Which paint should I choose for my project?
The best paint depends on the surface being decorated, the level of wear and the desired finish.
Trade-quality emulsions, glosses, satinwood, eggshell and specialist coatings are designed for different environments, from residential properties to commercial buildings and social housing.
Orion Trade Supplies stocks a comprehensive range of professional decorating products for contractors working across Peckham, South East London, Rochester, Kent and the surrounding areas.
What's the difference between trade paint and retail paint?
Trade paints generally contain higher-quality pigments and greater solids content, providing better coverage, durability and consistency.
Many professional decorators choose trade paint because it often requires fewer coats, helping save time and money while delivering a longer-lasting finish.
What decorating products do I need for a professional finish?
A successful decorating project typically requires more than just paint.
Surface preparation products, fillers, sealants, primers, brushes, rollers, masking tapes, abrasives and dust sheets all contribute to achieving a high-quality result.
Which paint is best for kitchens, bathrooms and high-moisture areas?
Rooms exposed to moisture benefit from paints specifically designed to resist mould, condensation and frequent cleaning.
Washable and moisture-resistant coatings help maintain their appearance while providing greater durability in demanding environments.
What should I consider when specifying paint for social housing?
Decorating products for social housing should balance durability, ease of maintenance and long-term value. Washable finishes, high-opacity trade paints and reliable preparation products help contractors achieve consistent results while reducing future maintenance costs.
Orion Trade Supplies has extensive experience supporting housing associations, local authorities and maintenance contractors across London and Kent with dependable decorating supplies.
Surface Preparation & Application
Why is surface preparation so important before painting?
A quality finish starts with proper preparation.
Cleaning surfaces, repairing defects, sanding, filling and applying suitable primers helps paint adhere correctly and improves the overall appearance and durability of the finished decoration.
When should I use a primer or undercoat?
Primers and undercoats help improve adhesion, create a uniform surface and enhance the finish of the topcoat.
They’re particularly important on new plaster, bare timber, metal and previously repaired surfaces.
What tools do I need for a professional decorating job?
Professional decorating projects typically require quality brushes, rollers, roller trays, extension poles, masking tapes, fillers, scrapers, sanding materials, dust sheets and caulks.
Orion Trade Supplies stocks everything needed to complete decorating projects efficiently, helping contractors source materials from one trusted supplier.
Why are masking tapes and dust sheets important?
Masking products help achieve clean paint lines while protecting adjacent surfaces from splashes and spills.
Dust sheets also protect flooring, furniture and fixtures, helping reduce clean-up time and maintain a professional standard on site.
How can I achieve a smoother paint finish?
Using quality preparation products, selecting the correct roller or brush, applying even coats and allowing sufficient drying time all contribute to a smoother, longer-lasting finish.
High-quality trade paints also provide better flow and coverage.
Maintenance & Best Practice
How do I make painted surfaces last longer?
Using the correct preparation products, applying quality trade paint and following recommended drying times all help improve durability.
Regular cleaning with suitable products also helps maintain painted surfaces and extend the life of the finish.
Why does paint peel or flake?
Paint failure is commonly caused by poor preparation, damp surfaces, contamination or applying unsuitable products.
Identifying the cause before redecorating helps prevent recurring problems and ensures better long-term performance.
What's the best way to repair damaged walls before decorating?
Small holes, cracks and surface imperfections should be filled, sanded smooth and primed where necessary before painting.
Proper repairs help create a uniform finish and reduce the likelihood of defects showing through the final coat.
Why should I use trade-quality decorating products?
Trade-quality paints and decorating materials are designed to deliver better coverage, greater durability and more consistent results. They also help reduce rework, minimise call-backs and improve productivity on site.
Decorating for Refurbishment & Social Housing
What decorating products are most commonly used during void property refurbishments?
Void refurbishments typically require trade emulsion, primers, fillers, caulks, masking products, abrasives, brushes, rollers and decorating accessories.
Orion Trade Supplies carries a large stock of the everyday decorating essentials used by maintenance contractors carrying out fast-turnaround refurbishment projects from our Peckham and Rochester trade branches. Delivery is available, but clients are welcome to visit either of our branches to procure their materials.
Do you supply decorating materials for planned maintenance projects?
Yes. Orion Trade Supplies provides professional decorating products suitable for planned maintenance, cyclical decoration and refurbishment programmes.
Our range has been selected to help contractors achieve reliable, durable results while working to demanding schedules.
Why do maintenance contractors choose trade paints?
Trade paints offer excellent coverage, durability and ease of application, making them ideal for responsive repairs, planned maintenance and social housing refurbishment projects where quality and efficiency are equally important.
Can Orion help with product selection?
Yes. Our experienced team can recommend suitable paints, preparation products and decorating accessories based on your project, helping you choose products that deliver the best balance of performance, durability and value.
Whether you’re visiting our Peckham or Rochester branch, we’re here to help.
Sourcing Reliable Painting & Decorating Supplies
Why do professional painters and decorators choose Orion?
Professional painters and decorators choose Orion Trade Supplies because they can source everything needed for decorating projects from one supplier. From trade paints and primers to brushes, rollers, fillers, masking products and preparation materials, we help contractors save time, simplify procurement and keep projects moving.
With branches in Peckham and Rochester, we support decorating contractors throughout South East London, Kent and the surrounding areas.
Can I buy all my decorating and refurbishment materials from one supplier?
Yes. Alongside painting and decorating materials, Orion supplies flooring, hardware, plumbing, kitchens, doors, timber, cleaning products, PPE, tools and site consumables.
Buying everything from one supplier reduces administration, improves efficiency and helps avoid delays caused by sourcing materials from multiple merchants.
How can Orion help reduce decorating project delays?
Project delays often occur when essential products are unavailable or multiple supplier visits are needed.
Orion Trade Supplies maintains strong stock availability across our decorating range and offers delivery and Click & Collect services from our Peckham and Rochester branches, helping contractors keep projects on schedule.
Do you offer Trade Accounts for decorating contractors?
Our Trade Accounts are designed to simplify purchasing and support contractors working across London, Kent and the wider South East.
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