Haymes Paint pros swear by this trick—got streaky walls? Here’s what you missed.

June 25, 2025

Why a Simple Coat of Sealer Could Save You Hours (and Headaches)

Getting paint to stick like it should? Here’s how the right prep coat changes everything.

You’ve filled the holes, sanded the wall, carefully taped off the trims—and yet, hours into the job, there it is: streaky coverage, flaking corners, and a finish that looks more ‘first-timer’ than flawless. You were just trying to do it right, but the paint didn’t behave.

The culprit? It’s often what’s under the paint that makes or breaks your finish. And that’s where Haymes Ultraseal steps in—quietly, confidently, and with a grip that takes no prisoners. Especially on tricky surfaces like new plasterboard or old glossy walls, this under-the-radar product can be the difference between a pro finish and a weekend you’d rather forget.

“Most people think a dodgy paint job is about the topcoat. Nine times out of ten, the real drama is what you’ve done (or haven’t done) underneath.” — Candeece H, Paint Specialist

Smooth Walls Don’t Always Mean Secure Walls

Fresh plaster might look clean and ready… but it’s like trying to paint onto dry Weet-Bix. It sucks up your topcoat, dulls your colours and leaves the wall uneven and patchy. That’s where Ultraseal does its best work—as a preliminary sealer and undercoat in one, made to even out absorbency and lock in adhesion for the long haul.

Unlike basic prepcoats that just ‘tick the box’, this one actually primes the wall properly. It dries fast, has minimal odour, and sands down flawlessly if needed. Translation? Less guesswork, more control, and better results whether you're painting your first wall or your fiftieth.

And here's the twist: it works under both water-based and oil-based paints. That means no compatibility drama later down the track if you decide to switch things up—or your dad drops off a leftover tin of enamel from 2004, and you've got no time to argue.

What Makes Haymes Ultraseal Different?

Exceptional Adhesion: Grips firmly to hard-to-coat surfaces like previously painted walls, fresh plaster and fibre cement sheeting.
Superb Sandability: Sits smooth, sands smart—not crumbly or gummy.
Low Odour Formula: Ideal if you’re painting late or indoors—no headaches, no drama.
Interior & Exterior Use: One tub does it all—inside and out.
Global GreenTag Certified: A bonus if you're after eco credentials without the fluff.

We use Haymes Ultraseal in-store all the time when customers come through needing a clean finish on a rough wall—or when they’re painting over chalky, dodgy, or impossible-to-predict surfaces. It’s a quiet achiever, but one that makes every tin of topcoat go further and look better.

The 15-Minute Test That Pro Painters Swear By

Here’s something handy: after applying Ultraseal, wait 15 minutes and do the drag test. Run your finger across the dry-to-touch patch—no chalky dust, no residue? That’s a wall ready to lock in colour like a magnet. If not, give it another 20, then sand slightly. The point is—Ultraseal helps you take control, before the topcoat even comes into play.

Still Wondering If You Need a Prepcoat?

Ask yourself:

Is the surface bare, patchy, or porous like new plasterboard?
Am I painting over glossy enamel?
Has this wall already absorbed paint unevenly?

If you nodded to any of those, skip the shortcuts. Give the wall what it needs, and it’ll return the favour tenfold—by letting that topcoat apply smoother, dry faster, and last longer. Fussy walls can’t fake it. But they can be tamed.

Old School Meets New Smarts

Still think undercoats are a waste of time? Here’s the irony: most old-school painters swear by them. Why? Because they've learned what cutting corners actually costs. Paint that peels. Colour that fades. Coats that bubble and crack with every season change.

Ultraseal isn’t some ‘miracle in a tin’. It’s just a smart player that shows up early, does the dirty work, and sets your whole job up for success. Especially if you’re new to painting, or trying to get that “my mate didn’t believe I did it myself” kind of finish.

The Sealer That Steps Up So You Don’t Slip Up

Painting’s easier when you’re not second-guessing your prep work. When the paint sticks right. When you know it’s going to last. So next time you’re staring at that blank wall, wondering why the first coat looks off—just remember: