to paint everything myself?

[fryanddry]

My flat is looking really ugly and tired😣

6 years ago when I was pregnant with dd , I paid someone to paint all the walls various shades of white (why??)
Impossible to keep it clean and I hate it now

I'm ready to give it a make over, I've chosen all the colours but I'm getting really nervous about doing it on my own!
The last time I had a go at painting was when I moved in at 18, and it was terrible 😬
Its a small flat ..

I guess my question is .. Should I have a go myself or is better to hire a professional ?
How easy Is D.I.Y painting?
Id appreciate any advice or tips..

It's really easy. Wrap your brushes and rollers in cling film when you finish for the day so that they stay moist and you can use them again or they will dry out and go crusty.

I wrapped mine a month or so ago and it's still moist! I will get to the last part of the hallway eventually!

Frog tape is the best masker. Really worth spending a bit of time taping skirtings, coving, round doors and light switches etc.

I'm midway through painting my bathroom (2 walls done, ceiling and 3rd wall to go) and I've quite enjoyed it. My top tips:

Use a multi filler to fill in any gaps/knocks in the plasterwork. Smooth it off with a damp towel and sand back when dry.

Wash your walls thoroughly with sugar soap - I used the spray one. I was horrified at how much dirt came off 😳

Do your first coat with a brush. Leave to dry before doing the second coat with a smooth roller (the orange B&Q one is great)

You should be able to cut it without tape but if you do use it choose frog tape o you dont peel off paintwork.

And have a damp cloth to hand to wipe up if you make a mistake on plugs and stuff, most stuff like skirting boards and plug sockets are wipe clean.

Cut in around your plugs sockets and edges and use a roller for the rest. Use light coats.

Honestly it’s easy. I was quoted over 2k for my stairs hall and landing last year so I did it myself, it took ages as Victorian house with high ceilings. I find it quite soothing with a good podcast on.

Actual painting is the easy part. It’s all in the prep work. Sugar soaping to clean, raking and filling cracks, sanding etc. If the prep isn’t done properly you won’t get a good result. I am all for doing things myself but honestly if you want it to look good and last I would hire a professional.

If you have kuds/pets/a partner who puts his mucky hands all over the walls (don't ask) go for a wipeable paint. Called different things in different brands, durable or something similar to that. Standard emulsion will just wipe off. Take your time, don't roller too fast as it keeps spatters down, cover everything, watch you dont step in paint and walk it all over the house, I leave ceilings unless they definitely need painting but do it first if they do. I like Wilkos own brand paint, lots of colours and often on offer. Good luck!

If you are filling, I highly recommend One Strike filler.

Dulux Eggshell paint for the wood. It's not oil based so easy to clean brushes/ rollers afterwards. You can also touch up areas later because it doesn't turn yellow.

Little mini rollers for smoothing paint brush marks off doors.

Frog tape over cheaper masking tape

It's definitely doable and very satisfying once you've finished. Echo what everyone else says, watch youtube videos and read Internet articles. However, I don't agree that it's a doddle I mean it's probably not too bad if you've lot of spare time but if not it's hard work. On top of that if you're trying to do a lot of rooms the build up of the paint fumes can make you feel rough (and your children feel rough).

So I'd start with a room or two and see how you go.

I've done several rooms and they all look nice, just as nice as when I had someone into do them. One other things buy the best paint you can afford, it's tempting to buy the cheapest but the results don't last as long and you may end up redoing it.

Thank you everyone! I am lapping up all this advice ❤I've decided to go at it myself wish me luck!

Painting is easy. It's also pretty boring--all that going round the edges with a brush. TV ads always show people rolling on paint with glee but that's about 20% of the job. When I was poor I painted the flats I lived in myself. When I wasn't poor anymore I paid someone else to do it. So it depends on your capacity for boredom and how much you want to spend.

This^^ is good advice - it takes longer than you think - eg not getting any wall paint on the ceiling is tricky, plan for it to take weeks not days (presuming you are also working).

Never pay a decorator, unless you are physically unable to do it. Generally they are in a rush to finish so will cut corners which is annoying when you know you wouldn't and can spot the mistakes.

Others have given good tips.

Paining is easy. I’ve never understood why people pay others to do such a simple job unless you live in a mansion or something.

just make sure you cover the floor (especially if it’s carpet). Brush for the edges and roller in the middle. Good luck. You’ll be fine.

Another tip I found getting a big cardboard box opening it out to flatten it then pushing it right up against the wall easier than using dust sheets.

I do all my own decorating and I'm quite good now!

Preparation is the key. Fill in any holes/scrathes with polyfiller and then sand any bumps etc until you havea nice smooth surface. Painting over white is easy.
As PP have said watch videos to see how to cut in (paint the edges) and then use a roller for the middle.
Sand any painted woodwork well to make a surface for the paint to catch on, and in high traffic places I would lightly sand between coats. (and do 3 coats)

I don't use masking tape. That is because I have a steady hand cutting in. If you do use masking tape splash out on frog tape, cheap masking tape is hopeless. Before you take it off afterwards run a very sharp knife along the edge of the tape to cut through any paint that is on the tape and the wall.

Be prepared to do 2 good coats, or, if it is a strong colour change, even 3 coats. The second and third coats it is harder to see where you are going, so be systematic as you work round. Don't believe any paint that says one coat is enough, it will look much better with 2.

Avoid coming back and catching the edge of paint which has started to dry, as it will mess it up. I tend to do the whole room cutting in and then go back to the beginning to paint, as the cut in edge is dry by then. the other way is to do both as you move round, 1 m of edge and then the middle etc.

choosing paint:
I made some big mistakes when I first started painting. Any shiny paint (which includes most bathroom paint and kitchen paint) anything called satin finish etc will show the uneveness and bumps of the walls more than matt. I tend to use semi shiny on doors and skirting boards (eggshell finish) and matt on walls, but I think nowadays I would lean towards matt on everything.
BUT if you buy basic matt wall paint, you can't clean it. Look for one of the ones that is designed for places like hallways. Washable/durable/endurance/scrubbable etc etc.
B&Q paints from their mix-your-own colours do good extra durable matt finish (be careful with their off the shelf colours they are not so good).
This paint is more expensive, but you can literally get flash and a scrubbing sponge and clean it. That means it lasts so much longer, and still looks good.

Any if it all goes wrong?
Well just paint over it!

Paiting is really easy and quick when you get going. I really quite love doing it.

The key is prep, and that is what takes time. Make sure the walls are clean and degreased, fill any holes and I like to give them a general light sand too. Then tape off anything that shouldn't be painted and cover the floor. If you prep properly you can then just crack on. I have always done our decorating myself and even painted our whole house with my dad while 8 months pregnant.

also - if you get paint on anything (carpet) wipe it up IMMEDIATELY before it goes dry.
Cover everything in dust sheets, use waterproof ones like plastic or old shower curtains (you can buy plastic cheaply in DIY shops) fabric (eg old curtains) may let the paint through if you have a spill)

Top tip - if you are coming bakc to paint later today or tomorrow, don't bother cleaning the brush / roller, wrap it in clingfilm and squeeze out the air. Saves so much time. This only works for about 24-48 hourse though and then it starts to dry roudn the edges.

When finished wash the brushes immediately. If you can't wrap in clingfilm or stick in water. Once dry they are dead and you have to throw them away.

My DF's advice: never buy cheap paint. Or cheap paintbrushes! Good quality brushes will save you so much time and trouble in the long run.

If you hate it, you could just do the easy bits and pay someone else to do the fiddly bits.