From BBQs to Baubles: How Christmas Can Be Tough on Your Paintwork

For most Australians, Christmas means warm weather, backyard barbecues, and a house full of family and friends. But while you’re busy with festivities and decorations, your home’s paintwork, inside and out, can quietly take a beating.

From harsh UV rays and sticky decorations to cooking fumes and summer storms, the festive season can leave lasting marks on your home. Here’s how Christmas can ruin your paintwork, and how to protect it.

1. The Harsh Aussie Sun

Nothing fades paint faster than an Australian summer. December brings some of the year's highest UV levels, and by Christmas Day, your exterior walls are copping the full force.

Dark colours absorb heat and may blister or peel, while lighter tones fade and lose their crisp finish. Timber trims and weatherboards are especially vulnerable if not properly sealed.

Prevention tips:

• Choose UV-resistant exterior paints designed for Australian conditions.

• Wash down walls every few months to remove salt and grime.

• Shade exposed areas with awnings or greenery.

• If your paint is over five years old, plan a refresh before next summer.

2. Decorations and Adhesives: Paintwork’s Festive Enemy

Fairy lights, wreaths, tinsel, and garlands make homes sparkle, but adhesive hooks, tapes, and suction cups can leave ugly marks. Heat softens adhesives, which can peel paint or leave greasy rings. Even thumbtacks can chip plaster, while metal clips scratch gutters and fencing.

Prevention tips:

• Use removable hooks made for painted surfaces and follow instructions carefully.

• Avoid sticking anything to freshly painted walls; paint needs at least two weeks to cure.

• Choose plastic clips for outdoor lights.

• Remove decorations soon after New Year’s to stop adhesives from baking in the sun.

3. Heat, Humidity, and Air Conditioning

Aussie Christmas is a battle between humidity and air con. Rapid temperature changes make paint expand and contract, leading to cracks around cornices and windows. Moisture from storms or evaporative coolers can also make paint tacky or blister.

Prevention tips:

• Keep rooms well-ventilated to balance temperature and humidity.

• Wipe condensation from painted areas, especially near windows.

If you’re thinking about a repaint, it’s likely too late to start this year, but you can start planning for next year to get the best results and avoid the summer rush.

4. Cooking, Parties, and Everyday Chaos

Entertaining can be tough on paint. Cooking releases grease and steam that cling to walls, while sticky fingers, scuffed hallways, and spilled drinks leave marks.

Prevention tips:

• Use washable, low-sheen or semi-gloss paint in high-traffic areas.

• Wipe walls with mild detergent after gatherings.

• Run range hoods and exhaust fans when cooking.

5. Outdoor Entertaining and Paint Damage

Backyard BBQs and pool parties are great, until the smoke, heat, and splashes reach your paintwork. BBQs too close to walls can blister paint, while pool water and sunscreen leave residue.

Prevention tips:

• Keep BBQs and smokers at least a metre from walls.

• Rinse off salt, chlorine, or sunscreen residue.

• Wipe down painted surfaces after parties.

• Apply a protective sealer to exterior walls, especially near pools or coastal areas.

6. Summer Storms and Moisture Damage

Christmas often brings heavy summer storms. Driving rain can push moisture into cracks, leading to bubbling, peeling, and mould. Blocked gutters and roof leaks can also damage paint from the inside out.

Prevention tips:

• Clear gutters and downpipes before December.

• Repair cracks or gaps early to keep moisture out.

• If you spot blistering, scrape, sand, and repaint before it spreads.

7. The Post-Christmas Clean-Up

After the holidays, the clean-up begins, and many people over-scrub their walls. Harsh chemicals and abrasive sponges can strip paint or leave shiny patches on matte finishes.

Prevention tips:

• Use gentle, non-abrasive cleaners.

• Test products on a small, hidden area first.

• For stubborn marks, use a magic eraser lightly to avoid dulling the finish.

Keep Your Paint Looking Fresh with Lady Tradies

Christmas in Australia is a time for sunshine, family, and celebration, but it can be rough on your home’s paintwork. UV rays, humidity, decorations, and summer storms often leave interiors and exteriors looking a little worse for wear by the time the festivities are over.

If your paint has lost its sparkle, Lady Tradies can help. Our experienced painters use premium, durable paints made for Australian conditions to restore and protect your home, inside and out.

Whether it’s touching up scuffed walls, refreshing faded exteriors, or giving your home a completely new look, we’ll bring back your home’s best finish with care, precision, and attention to detail.

Start the new year in a home that looks as fresh as it feels. Book your post-Christmas paint refresh with Lady Tradies today and let us bring your home back to life after the holiday season. Call us on 07 3544 1001.