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Home decoration

Complete novice painter

13 replies

Inarutneedhelp · 02/04/2018 13:01

In the past I have used painters but I hate the upheaval and tbh I can’t really afford them . I have been putting decorating on the long finger as just don’t want strangers In the house . Also I need a project and I am thinking I have a room that is not being used as my son has moved out and it has not been pained in many years so that will be my practice room . It has some cracks which need filling in so I assume putty and a knife . What else do I need other than paint , roller , brushes and tape . And dust sheets . Can I muck this up ? I have a whole house to do and might get painter for the kitchen perhaps .

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CQCnamechange · 02/04/2018 13:03

I’m the same - I just don’t know where to start. I’ll join you for some tips.

Knittedfairies · 02/04/2018 13:19

Not putty for the cracks - that’s for windows. You need some sort of filler. You can’t really muck-up decorating if you take time and care; don’t underestimate the time needed. Make sure you use decent paint; cheap stuff is very definitely a false economy and won’t give you a good coverage.
Ask for advice wherever you buy your paint, or look out for how-to leaflets. Good luck!

Knittedfairies · 02/04/2018 13:22

Forgot the most important thing! Preparation of surfaces is key; washing, sanding etc, That takes more time than the actual painting. Make sure you have enough room to work, and please get yourself a decent set of stepladders... don’t climb up on a chair.

mercurymaze · 02/04/2018 13:25

Wearing plastic gloves helps too if you're mucky like me Grin an extendable roller is useful Matt paint also looks better than vinyl silk imo

Dodie66 · 02/04/2018 13:27

I agree with Knittedfairies don’t go for cheap paint you will have to do several coats. I use Dulux. Also get some filller like polyfller You can get it ready mixed in tubes. Don’t over fill the crack it will take you ages to sand it and get it smooth. You will need sandpaper for that and also a filler knife. I bought an electric sander. It’s brilliant. Saves a lot of hard work. And yes tape, dust sheets, brushes and a roller and tray. If you are doing the ceiling do that first. Are you doing doors and frames as well. A non drip gloss is best for that. Again good quality. Hope that helps

reachforthewine · 02/04/2018 13:40

Filler for cracks/holes in the walls, frog tape for outlines around skirting, switches and other things.

Have an empty bag handy to put your roller in when taking a break (stops it drying out)

There's a white suite you can buy in Poundland that is perfect for painting.

Keep the windows open.

Dust sheets if you're keeping the floor.

I put the swimming pool blue shoes on over my shoes so I can take them off when I need to and don't end up with paint everywhere.

DropZoneOne · 02/04/2018 13:59

Do all your prep first.
Wash down the walls and woodwork.
Fill gaps with polyfiller then sand.
Sand woodwork / radiator to "scuff" the surface - makes it easier for new paint to cling to.

Paint the woodwork and radiator first.
Then the ceiling - magic white is good because you can easily see where you have gone over. Work in 1m squares and move fairly quickly - don't go back over an area once it's started to dry otherwise you'll lift the paint off. Roll in one direction e.g. forward and back, then go another way e.g. side to side or I prefer diagonal.
Then move on to next 1m square. Generally I find one coat on the ceiling is fine.

By then your woodwork should be touch dry - does it need another coat? If the original paintwork was yellowing you may need two coats. Otherwise one may be enough just to freshen it up.

Walls - do one wall at a time. Use a paintbrush to go round the edges of the wall. Where you then have a line of paint on the wall, feather it in so when you roller over you don't have a line showing. But hard to describe!

Roller in the same way as the ceiling - 1m squares, two directions, work quickly.

Next day check the walls - do they need a second coat? Second cost IME doesn't use as much paint as the first coat.

For a small room, I do all my prep on Friday night. Woodwork, ceiling and first coat walls on Saturday. Second coat walls on Sunday, then tidying up and putting furniture, lampshades, curtains etc in.

In between Saturday and Sunday, wrap your roller in cling film. Then you can use it again for second coat. I just bin afterwards because I find they don't wash very well. Wash all paintbrushes as soon as possible though.

There's a sticky blue covering sold in Screwfix that you can use to cover carpets. I find this better than dust sheets for the edges because you can stick it right up to the skirting. Then I lay dust sheets over the top as an extra protection.

Inarutneedhelp · 02/04/2018 15:08

Wow thanks so much for all the replies . Lots to be done but sounds achievable .

Yes am goIng to do ceiling and I have a stepladder . Ok will hopefully go get the stuff this week . I have to buy everything I’m afraid . Lucky room is pretty empty but this is the first room to be done . Will see how I get on .

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DropZoneOne · 02/04/2018 16:29

When I moved into my flat, my dad wrote me a decorating guide. Basically what I've put above, but I've attached it as well in case it's helpful.

Complete novice painter
Complete novice painter
Complete novice painter
DropZoneOne · 02/04/2018 16:32

And ..

Complete novice painter
Complete novice painter
Inarutneedhelp · 02/04/2018 16:44

Drop zone your dad is a treasure . That’s very detailed . Wish I had the pain bought to start now . Mind you I could do the cleaning and be prepared .

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Betruthful9 · 04/04/2018 14:58

Hi,

jumping on the thread as I'm a novice painter.

Just wondered Drop Zone, doesn't it make better sense to do the ceiling on day 1 due to potential drips, splashes etc?

Bookmarking dad's advice. Thanks for sharing.

GingerKitCat · 04/04/2018 22:25

Wilko paint is pretty good in my experience Smile

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