Professional cleaning, surface preparation, and base coating to create the right foundation for
murals, artwork, and large-scale graphics.
• Creates a clean, stable surface for murals and artwork to be applied successfully
• Improves paint adhesion and finish quality for long-lasting results
• Removes contamination that could affect the final appearance of the artwork
• Supports safe working on live and high-visibility sites
• Ensures consistency across large or challenging surfaces
UK-Based Specialists in Mural Preparation
APT ICC provides specialist mural preparation services across England and Wales, supporting artists, councils, developers, and organisations preparing surfaces for public and private artwork. Mural preparation focuses on the cleaning, treatment, and base coating of surfaces so artwork can be applied to a suitable and reliable substrate.
The service is sometimes referred to as mural base preparation or artwork surface preparation. In simple terms, it involves making sure walls, structures, or large surfaces are properly cleaned, stabilised, and painted before an artist begins work. Without this preparation, dirt, staining, or uneven surfaces can affect how a mural looks and how long it lasts.
APT ICC works on a wide range of surfaces commonly used for murals, including concrete, brickwork, render, painted masonry, and structural walls such as flyovers and retaining walls. Preparation may involve removing traffic film, algae, ingrained dirt, old coatings, or surface staining, followed by the application of a suitable base coat to provide a uniform background for artwork.
Mural preparation is often required in public-facing and live environments, such as roadside structures, town centres, commercial buildings, and cultural venues. All works are assessment-led and carefully planned to ensure safety, surface suitability, and minimal disruption to surrounding areas.
With over 35 years of experience, APT ICC is trusted to deliver reliable mural preparation on complex and high-profile sites. Recent projects include mural preparation works for Wake The Tiger in Bristol and large-scale surface preparation for a public mural project in Crawley. All services are delivered under strict health, safety, and environmental controls, providing a dependable foundation for artwork across England and Wales.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to APT for the excellent job they carried out at Tai Bach. The project was a much needed one and now that it is completed it has really helped to improve the look of the town. We have received many good comments from the public which is always a good sign.”
Kevin Hiller - Property Surveyor, Neath & Port Talbot Council
“We employed the services of APT to renovate a Grade 2 Listed Building. Under the directive of Cadw we were not allowed to use any wet process or chemicals within the interior of the building. APT used Soda Blasting on sandstone, brick, ceramic glazed tiles, metal work, paintwork on ceilings, coving, woodwork and ornate fixtures.
It was a great achievement to have one system for all the surfaces that needed cleaning and restoring and one that also ticked all the boxes of the environmental and conservation officers. The process saved us both time & money in being able to have just one company on site. We are very grateful to APT for their hard work on this project.”
Tim Luke - Gee Construction
“I would like to thank APT-ICC for their excellent work and assistance on the Barclays Bank project. They delivered the scheme and additional works on time and without issue thanks to Andrew and his team for all your extra effort, long hours and commitment. I look forward to using them on future renovations.”
Graham Lowe - Project Manager, Overbury Plc
“We have been receiving an overwhelming number of positive comments about the war memorial cleaning. Yesterday, during the small ceremony at the Penrallt column on the 1st World War anniversary, many expressed their appreciation for how splendid the memorial looks after the cleaning. We anticipate sharing photos on the internet page later this week. Additionally, we have shared your details with another person who serves as the clerk to two other local councils. Thank you once again for the exceptional work.”
Janice Davies - Gwynedd Council
Mural preparation involves cleaning and preparing a surface so artwork can be applied properly. It ensures the surface is clean, stable, and suitable for paint. Good preparation helps murals last longer and look consistent.
Murals are commonly applied to concrete, brickwork, render, painted masonry, and structural walls. Each surface is assessed to determine the right cleaning and preparation method. This helps avoid issues with adhesion or uneven finishes.
Yes, mural preparation is often carried out in live, public-facing environments. Work is planned to manage access, safety, and disruption. This is important in town centres, roadside locations, and commercial areas.
Yes, cleaning is a critical first step. Dirt, algae, pollution, or old coatings can affect how paint adheres and how the artwork looks. Proper cleaning creates a stable base for painting.
Small or low-risk areas may be manageable by artists. Larger surfaces, heavily contaminated walls, or high-level locations usually require specialist preparation. Professional preparation reduces the risk of paint failure.
Yes, where required, a base coat is applied to create a uniform background. This helps improve colour consistency and finish quality. The type of base coat depends on the surface and artwork requirements.
APT ICC delivers mural preparation services across England and Wales. We work with artists, councils, and organisations and can also advise on suitable surface treatments and coatings where full preparation services are not required.
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