Watching Paint Dry - Help Needed

[entersandmum28]

I'm hoping my title grabbed you, but this is about paint. So, I'm painting my hallway, stairs and landing. After 5+ years it's looking very tired. I'm not too awful at painting bit need some advice.

Gloss - do I just do the banister and skirting boards? What about door frames? Should I then do the doors in gloss or silk? Do I paint the end door part? It will wear off anyway but would make the job more, 'uniform.

I'm thinking I need to go the following; Sanding down, silicone any gaps, gloss, work from pale paint to darkest.

I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew and the job is daunting. I live in a Victorian terrace with high ceilings and a few original features. I really don't want to mess it up, but can't afford a decorator.

Any advise appreciated.

Don't use silicone, you can't paint over it. Use Decorator's caulk for cracks where two surfaces meet or polyfilla on flat surfaces. Sand the polyfilled patches down. I generally sand the walls down all over to remove bumps and nibs from when it was last decorated.

Wipe walls down, with sugar soap solution if there's any chance walls are greasy.

Paint walls first. I overlap slightly onto woodwork although my dad always used to tell me off for doing that. That way you can get a clean line over the top of the wall paint with your woodwork paint.

Gloss or satinwood is up to you, how shiny you want finish to be. Sand wood down, remove door furniture. If you are using gloss I recommend wiping wood over with a tacky rag (from diy merchants) which will pick up all dirt and dust that the gloss will highlight of not removed. When painted go back over to check for drips before it dries. You'll need to do all the woodwork, doorframes included as it'll really show up where's not been painted.

Good luck!

GreasyFryUp Thank you. Oh my goodness. I've given myself 4 days whilst DD9 is at her dad's to complete. Looks like I need more 'supplies'. I'm thinking a slow and steady approach is best. I bought a paint fillable(?) roller, with an extended pole + an edging tool because there is no way I can reach the ceiling. (my son has to change the lightbulb in the hallway because I am only 5'4" and can't reach).