A simple guide to painting and decorating
The best and only way to get a great result on any painting project is spend time on the preparation prior to painting, Or hire a tradesman painter.
To avoid spoiling newly painted surfaces with drips and splatters, paint the ceiling the walls and finally the woodwork.
It is a good idea to paint the ceiling (which can be a messy job, it’s taken me 20yrs to master doing this with very little mess) before stripping any wall coverings.
But this is the only exception to the rule that all preparatory work must be done before you start painting.
Any paint brushes or rollers can be stored wet just wrapped in a plastic bag for a few weeks before the paint starts to dry, saves a lot of washing out time.
To avoid spoiling newly painted surfaces with drips and splatters, paint the ceiling the walls and finally the woodwork.
It is a good idea to paint the ceiling (which can be a messy job, it’s taken me 20yrs to master doing this with very little mess) before stripping any wall coverings.
But this is the only exception to the rule that all preparatory work must be done before you start painting.
Any paint brushes or rollers can be stored wet just wrapped in a plastic bag for a few weeks before the paint starts to dry, saves a lot of washing out time.
Painting a ceiling
Make sure that you can safely and comfortably reach the area you are decorating. Use either steps or a scaffold board supported by trestles or stepladders. Your head should be about 75mm from the ceiling.If you do not like working at a height, you can use a roller pole fitted to the hollow handle of a roller frame or pad, for most of the painting. But you will need to stand on steps or a board to cut-in where the walls and ceiling meet and around the tops of doors and windows.
Paint the ceiling in strips starting near the window. If there is more than one window in the room, begin nearest the one where most light comes in. Cut in the edges as you work, I always like to have a radiator roller and brush in hand when cutting in, I use the brush first then get as close as I can with the small roller to eliminate any brush marks making sure to feather the edge.
Paint the ceiling in strips starting near the window. If there is more than one window in the room, begin nearest the one where most light comes in. Cut in the edges as you work, I always like to have a radiator roller and brush in hand when cutting in, I use the brush first then get as close as I can with the small roller to eliminate any brush marks making sure to feather the edge.
Painting a wall
When using a roller, paint horizontal strips about 50cm wide across the wall. Work from the top to the bottom. Start in the top right corner (or the top left one if you are left-handed).
Paint the sections from the top of the wall down and then across.
I cut in the same as with the ceilings, brush and radiator roller to eliminate any brush marks, I hate seeing a clear square around light switches, ceiling roses, etc from a brush.
I have noticed a lot of younger painters using pads, as a old school painter I dont get on with these and dont like the finish.
Paint the sections from the top of the wall down and then across.
I cut in the same as with the ceilings, brush and radiator roller to eliminate any brush marks, I hate seeing a clear square around light switches, ceiling roses, etc from a brush.
I have noticed a lot of younger painters using pads, as a old school painter I dont get on with these and dont like the finish.
Glossing a door
When glossing a door I always start by slipping a piece of paper under the door to avoide any paint coming in contact with the floor,
After sanding filling then sanding again start with the interior panels to avoid getting over run on any face surfaces. Apply the gloss on generously with either a brush or fine foam roller, then work with the grain in the wood removing any excess paint.
When this is done on all the interior panels I move onto the cross sections, working in the same way, apply the paint on thick then laying it off with the grain of the wood.
After sanding filling then sanding again start with the interior panels to avoid getting over run on any face surfaces. Apply the gloss on generously with either a brush or fine foam roller, then work with the grain in the wood removing any excess paint.
When this is done on all the interior panels I move onto the cross sections, working in the same way, apply the paint on thick then laying it off with the grain of the wood.
A painters tools
A selection of paint brushes, or pads. Different sizes are used for different painting tasks.
Paint rollers, I like to have 3 sizes of roller 4", 9" and a 15"
Paint scrapers and filling knives, for removing any previous paint and making any repairs prior to painting.
Painters dust sheets, to protect any objects or surfaces from paint and dust, the ones I buy are cotton topped with a plastic backing for floors and stairs (take care when painting in stairwells that they dont slip) then a plain cotton sheet for over tables, t´v´s, sofas etc.
Painters masking tape, if you need to protect any surfaces from paint, the better quality stuff does not over stick or leave glue on surfaces. I dont use tape as I feel it gives you a false sense of security.
A set of steps, to reach any areas you cant reach without.
Painters wipes, I use wet wipes a lot cheaper and dont containe any solvents, just incase you do get some paint where it should not be when painting.
Sand paper, for roughing up any surface that needs a key before being painted, or to flatten any filler you have used.
Paint rollers, I like to have 3 sizes of roller 4", 9" and a 15"
Paint scrapers and filling knives, for removing any previous paint and making any repairs prior to painting.
Painters dust sheets, to protect any objects or surfaces from paint and dust, the ones I buy are cotton topped with a plastic backing for floors and stairs (take care when painting in stairwells that they dont slip) then a plain cotton sheet for over tables, t´v´s, sofas etc.
Painters masking tape, if you need to protect any surfaces from paint, the better quality stuff does not over stick or leave glue on surfaces. I dont use tape as I feel it gives you a false sense of security.
A set of steps, to reach any areas you cant reach without.
Painters wipes, I use wet wipes a lot cheaper and dont containe any solvents, just incase you do get some paint where it should not be when painting.
Sand paper, for roughing up any surface that needs a key before being painted, or to flatten any filler you have used.