Novice Painter - can I do this?

[MaggieMcSplash]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice for a novice painter?
We complete soon on our house. I want to save money by redecorating myself.
I haven't done much painting before. Is this something I can do myself with little/no experience? Any tips etc would be much appreciated. I was thinking of paying something to do the woodwork and I'd do the walls. Many thanks

There are a lot of very good tutorials on Youtube. The main tip I can give you is that preparation is the key.

If you fail to prep properly, then it will look bad.

Prep includes protecting the areas you don't want paint on and also prepping surfaces by washing/light sanding.

That and good brushes. Wash your brushes after you finish properly or if you're going to use again tomorrow, like with glossing which takes ages....wrap in clingfilm. Same with trays of paint that you're going to use again....wrap in cling....saves paint wastage.

We've just bought our first house and are doing most of it ourselves, though a few walls will need fully replastering. (groan)

The best bits of advice I can give is to make sure your starting surfaces are as smooth and clean as possible if you're painting.

We bought a sander to strip the woodwork, it wasn't very expensive, about £25, then cleaned it down and primed it before painting.
It looks as good new, and it made life easier than sanding and stripping by hand, which can take a lifetime.
The old owners black glossed half the house, (just why?!?!) so it's been a nightmare and has involved paint stripper by the gallon, but the hardwork pays off.
If it's an older house pre 1980's paint usually has lead in it so be careful, I'd buy goggles and a mask and open windows and doors.

Also if you're painting, invest in a few good quality foam rollers not the fluffy ones, the foam puts regular paint down much smoother and more evenly.

If you go ahead and do it yourself you'll probably find it very exciting at first, but it's bloody boring after a while. If it wasn't for the savings and sense of satisfaction I doubt anyone would do it themselves. Haha!

Agree that preparation is key.

Light colours are usually a bit more forgiving than dark colours when beginning. As is painting walls same/similar colour as woodwork.

If you have any areas of bare plaster, it’s important to size them first. This means painting them with watered down paint to seal them.

I’d also say, take your time and enjoy it. Get satisfaction from doing a good job. Rather than trying to rush to eat through it. It’s something that can be really enjoyable.

Thanks for all your advice I will check out YouTube.
The walls are being newly plastered so I didn't want to have to fork out more money for painting the whole place.
I've seen a mist coat in Wilkos that I was planning on using first.
Thanks for the sander recommendation. What one would you recommend? Would you use on walls and wood work?
I'm going to use Dulux paint. I've heard it's the easiest to paint with it.
We are getting in new flooring after painting so don't need to worry about making a mess of that.
I might start with one of the smaller bedrooms and see how I get on.

@MaggieMcSplash - We got ours from B&Q, it wasn't a big name or anything (nothing I'd heard of anyway!) Ozito? Does the job and didn't cost the earth.
I wouldn't use it on walls unless it was the skirting boards, I'd probably not use it on any picture rails you may have either. We sanded down an old pine cabinet and a matching dining room table, and they look lovely now so it will do quite a lot for you.

Prep, clean, cover floors etc compmetely
Loosen socket covers
Use decent masking tape not cheap stuff
Go to a trade pkace like Brewers for your paint, it is better quality thsn the DIY stores
Maje sure you are cinsustent with the finush - all matt, all diamond matt, the same cour with a different finish looks slightly different
Invest in good different size brushes
Have fun!

@AjasLipstick great idea to use cling film, I’ll use that tip myself the next time as I never knew that

Thanks procrastinatingpingu I'll have a look in there for one.
Also the cutting in do you do it first or after or as you go along?

Starmix yes I got it from DH who's a painter and decorator. V handy!

I cut in after each coat that way they're even, and it's not lighter at the top when the light catches it. Best to paint a line under where the edge is then use that wet paint for the line above. If the wall is dry it'll drag the brush.
If you're really nervous use masking tape, but just wait until it's dry and you're totally done, before you remove it.

Oh wow it’s great and it’s making me want to decorate now. I don’t know how many times I’ve washed brushes to avoid them drying up for the next day! I always found the cleaning the worst bit as well.

Wickes and B&Q have great tips on their websites
Masking tape is great for when you're painting next to coving / skirting / window sills
Good quality paint is an absolute must
Loads of tips on YouTube

yeah definitelydon't use cheap masking tape, it doesn't work.

Another one saying buy decent masking tape - and take it off when the paint is dry.
Sugar soap is brilliant stuff, buy the powder and mix it yourself and you wash bottom up not bottom down.
Buy decent paint.
If you are new to the house, you might want to paint everywhere white and get to know the rooms before committing to colour.
Invest in cheap disposable gloves, and paint comes off skin if you rub some oil on it. cheap cooking oil will do.
Another vote for the cling film trick, or invert a painty vinyl glove and pop a brush in it.

Thanks for all the advice. I just thought all masking tape was the same. Which one is best?
Good idea about painting all white or light colour until we know what we want/know the house.
I'm feeling optimistic now. 😁

I've only had problems with Poundworld masking tape. It didn't stick.
I usually find Wilko stuff fine.
Brushes - I find Harris ok.
I am ok with Crown paint and have only had problems with one B&Q paint. Their emulsion was fine.

I've just tried to paint my bathroom ceiling but I'm getting chunks of the old textured paint crumble away. This leaves being the bare ceiling and I don't think it's plaster board. It's a flat so the ceiling will be concrete but not bare concrete. I've tried polyfillering (if that's a word) the edges of the textured paint to stop it crumbling further. When I try to paint over the bare patches the paint doesn't stick. Should I have done the mist coat or is that only for plasterwork? The perfectionist in me wants to strip the whole textured layer but I don't have the time.

To combat the boredom listento radio 4 till you get too saturated with current affairs, then blast out some dance music.
Works for me. Happy painting.