Order of decoration - emulsion? woodwork?

[doglover]

Sorry, clueless question time!

I've just been quoted £270 by a decorator to decorate my dds bedroom. (13' x 11')

It's just been freshly plastered so needs doing from scratch.

I know this is something I could do but really can't remember the order to tackle the different elements of the job.

Please could some kind soul list how to tackle this for me?

[BeanoNoir]

I personally would do emulsion first then woodwork, but I don't know if that's what you're meant to do.

[BeanoNoir]

I'd also do at least one coat of watered down cheap white emulsion onto bare plaster before putting on more expensive proper paint.

[Ponders]

Yes, if you're painting the walls you do woodwork last. For papering you do it first.

[doglover]

Excellent. Yes, walls will be emulsion.

Do I rub down the paintwork before painting walls?

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

How fresh is the plaster? I would prep all surfaces first, filler, and rubbing down. Mask off anything that needs protecting. I paint ceiling first and then woodwork and then emulsion last. Good luck

[doglover]

Excellent. Yes, walls will be emulsion.

Do I rub down the paintwork before painting walls?

[doglover]

Sorry, double post!!

[TheFutureMrsB]

Paint the walls first, I do anyway with emulsion, but on freshly plastered walls you need to use a watered down emulsion for the first coat, then I would use a satin wood paint for the wood work. I would never get a decorator in as I love decorating.

[doglover]

Plaster has literally gone on today so will need a few days to dry out.

[TheFutureMrsB]

Sorry x-posted with everyone!

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

I do woodwork first, emulsion will wipe off gloss etc easily, not so with gloss off emulsion ( I'm talking about accidental drips, splashes)

[AnythingNotEverything]

I do the same as over.

Remember to do your watered down coat on walls and ceiling. Then start from the ceiling.

Ido woodwork first, as its easier to wipe emulsion off gloss than gloss off emulsion.

I think that's a decent quote though - we paid either £200 or £250 for a similar job recently by a guy we've used a lot (can't remember which as we had two jobs done and not sure now which price was for which!).

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

Leave at least two weeks for plaster to cure.

[doglover]

I'm really out of practice but have done lots ................... about 20 years ago!

To keep costs down, I think I'll be tackling it again............

[doglover]

Wow! Two weeks? I'd hope to start on the room after about 5 days!

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

Also, when plaster has cured I would take a very fine sandpaper and go very lightly over the walls. That's just me though, bit of a perfectionist. It's all in the prep.

[PigletJohn]

start at the top and work down.

The ceiling is at the top.

Do all your prep, stripping, filling and sanding before you apply any paint.

it is OK to apply primer and undercoat to woodwork before you paint the walls and ceiling, since you can then sand it down and clean up, and there will be no more dust. hoover and damp-mop all the dust up before painting. Dust the walls too.

Yes, mist-coat all new plaster, preferably with white matt emulsion thinned with water. This will even the colour, texture and absorbency. It will also highlight to your eye any remaining blemishes that you will correct and re-mist before you put on your more expensive finish. and it will make the room look respectable.

Picture rails have to be done before walls because of drips. Wipe off all drips and splashes before they dry.

Your quote sounds quite modest.

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

I was always told 2 weeks by DB ( plasterer) so I always have done. I think the heat at the moment is on your side and 5 days will be fine.

[doglover]

This is fantastic! I'm really grateful for all your advice

[PigletJohn]

matt, non-vinyl emusion (e.d. Dulux Trade Supermatt) allows moisture from new plaster to dry out, hence it is the builders choice, and is very suitable for mist coats. It is available readimixed in a small number of unoriginal colours.

It is not very durable, but will look OK until you get round to repainting in a more expensive vinyl in a fashionable colour.

BTW if anyone suggests putting glue on the wall, kill them and don't do it.

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

Happy to help.

[doglover]

Right, I'm noting all this and preparing a shopping for B&Q. You say, the Dulux trade Supermatt is readimixed, PigletJohn. Does this mean that I DON'T need to water it down?

[PigletJohn]

no, you do need to thin it with water and stir very very well for the mist coat.

what I mean is that it is available in a small range of colours. Unlike the paints that are custom-mixed to order in a colour of your choice. The standard range is much less expensive and easy to match, hence popular with builders. Everybody likes Magnolia, right? It comes in 5 litre pails and 25 litre tubs which work out cheaper if you can use that much.

PBW is even cheaper as it is sold in vast quantities and is fine for ceilings as there is little knocking or spillage which needs a more durable paint.

[doglover]

You are my new hero, PigletJohn! Thanks so much

[AnythingNotEverything]

We had a room plastered a few Saturdays ago, and it was fine to paint by the Thursday - it's dry when it's all the same colour! Its quick when its warm like this. Keep your windows open to minimise condensation.