Can old render be painted instead of re-rendered?

If the render is still well bonded, yes. It should be cleaned, repaired and recoated, ideally with a membrane texture coating rather than ordinary paint, so fine cracks are bridged and the finish lasts.

How do I know if my render is still sound?

Tap it. Solid render sounds solid, while render that has lost its bond sounds hollow or drummy. We tap-test every wall during the inspection and mark any areas that need replacing.

Will a recoat hide old patches?

A texture coating evens out old repairs and texture far better than paint. Very uneven patches may need to be skimmed first, which we'll include in the quote if needed.

Can I change the colour of my rendered house?

Yes. Recoating is the easiest way to change the colour of a rendered home, and the coating system is chosen to suit the new colour and your walls.

Render Restoration Melbourne | Render Recoating & Repairs

When render needs restoring, not replacing

Most older render is still well bonded to the wall. What’s failed is the surface: the paint has chalked and faded, mould and dirt have stained it, and fine cracks have opened up. Stripping and re-rendering a wall like that is expensive and unnecessary. Restoring it gives you a finish that looks new and is better protected than it was.

Signs your render is ready for a recoat

A chalky residue comes off on your hand when you rub the wall
Faded, patchy or uneven colour, especially on sunny elevations
Dark staining, mould or algae on shaded walls
Fine cracks across the surface, or old patches that show through the paint
Flaking or peeling paint over otherwise sound render

How we restore render

Inspect and tap-test to confirm the render is sound and mark any drummy or cracked areas.
Clean the walls and treat mould and algae so the new coating bonds to a clean surface.
Repair cracks and replace loose or drummy sections. See render crack repairs for how we deal with the cause.
Prepare and prime with the primer the coating system calls for.
Apply a membrane texture coating, a thick, flexible coating that seals the render, bridges fine cracks and gives an even, durable colour.

Texture coating or paint?

Membrane texture coating

Much thicker film than paint
Flexible, so it bridges fine cracks
Evens out old patches and texture
Can carry a manufacturer’s system warranty

Exterior paint

Thinner, mainly a colour layer
Fine cracks can show through again
Old repairs often remain visible
Suits render that’s already in good shape

Changing colour? A restoration is a good time to update the look of your home. A recoat in a new colour can completely change a facade without touching the render underneath.

If your render is drummy across large areas or coming away from the wall, restoration won’t be enough, and re-rendering is the better option. We’ll tell you which one your walls need.

Render restoration & recoating