Preparing for painting. Do I need to...

[maggiethecat]

put masking tape under coving?

I'm only doing the walls as generally everything else is in good condition. Never painted before and wonder which would be worse - wonky application of masking tape or attempt at doing the cut freehand?

unless you have a very steady hand use masking tape, buy good quality low tack as it wont be too sticky, pull off when paint still damp or paint can stick to it and it will lift paint.
www.dulux.co.uk/video/category_decorating_advice.jsp

cover floors and furniture!!
good luck

Freehand is much harder..if the tape goes wonky peel off and try again. Cutting in (as it is known) is not always that easy, especially when up a ladder!

Painters (blue) tape is better (a bit more expensive, but not the end of the world) I guess it also depends what colour you are painting the walls?! If you stick the tape to the coving you should be able to get it where you need it without too much trouble - it's not as though you are going to be doing a line across a wall.

I wish whoever had painted my sitting room before I bought this place had taped over the coving instead of making the mess they've made of it!

White coving and light pink walls.

How long do you think before peeling off - about an hour? (in the warm weather I should think it would dry fairly quickly)

It just occurred to me - if you are doing 2 coats of paint and you need to let the first coat dry first then surely the tape is going to get paint dried to it?

Also, do blu tack marks paint over ok or do I need to treat those spots first?

blue tack should paint okay when washed with sugar soap, the worst is if you have any flaky paint as it can lift up and stick to your roller!! Yes let 2nd coat dry just dont leave it on for days.
Most modern paint is 2 hr recoat(but check tin & brand as all differ), try and get water based paint as if you have an accident you can wash it out and it does not smell as strong.
Plus easier clean up with water. We use the roller cleaner, its a tube u fit your roller into (keep handle on) and attach your hosepipe, it cleans them up really well.
One more thing are you doing your ceiling? as if you are do 1st as splashes can be painted out and you can buy ceiling paint tinted pink but dries white so you see where you have painted.

Okay. I'm psyched. Will get that blue painter's tape (colour makes sense - should be able to see better than regular masking tape if it is applied straight).

Will wash walls today and fill cracks then paint tomorrow.

Basic question - do I paint wall from top to bottom or bottom up?

top to bottom, do your cutting in first ( not too thick with a medium thick brush, tapered pref) as any blobs despite being same colour can be rolled over.
apply even pressure to your roller and keep enough paint on it, you'll be fine and will save you lots of money !!
happy painting.

Painted! It wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. Glad I masking taped. Few hiccups - paint was very lumpy. Could it be because I've had it a few years (unopened tho). It looked very yellow and oily when opened but after stirring it felt like a film of paint was being mixed in ( like when you've left porridge standing for a while).

Not sure if I was getting the right amounts of paint on the roller - it seemed like the roller was drinking the stuff! But I tried to ensure that roller was evenly coated and never dripping.

I shouldnt be so hard on myself but when finished I thought it looked a bit patchy altho I did try roller strokes in a sort of w fashion.

Room looks a lot better than before though and I made no mess .

I'll get better with practice I'm sure.

Thanks for your good advice.

Well done, paint does have a shelf life as air effects it, turning upside down helps or re storing it in smaller pot.
Truthfully preparation is key and cleaning the MOST boring job in the world, I will admit to chuck rollers rather than clean them!!
I have nearly finished our house, last few days and done, and as much as I moan about it, there is great satisfaction in knowing you did it and saved cash too.

Maggie - if you want more practise I can offer you some walls - will even feed you and make you lots of or :)

I couldn't possibly take advantage of your generosity Chipping

Agree with you on all points Coansha -although I was only repainting in same colour, so not as difficult as changing colours, the prospect of the job seemed a bit daunting - had visions of paint everywhere including coving and woodwork. Thankfully all the washing down, masking etc paid off.

I even did my bedroom today and there was great satisfaction at looking at nice clean walls.

Ok come & do it and I wont feed you or give you and then!

I'll be home all day tomorrow.... filling and sanding the fecking walls if you feel like dropping by

I might just have to drop by and help you although from the hours we've been keeping the thought of paintbrush in our hands is a bit worrying

LOL - sleep deprived in charge of a paint brush!!

I was doing really well until a friend and her kids dropped in, stayed for lunch, trashed the house and didn't leave till 5, now all I want to do is lay down and drink wine. First of all I have to sort the house out, then assess how much energy I can muster for doing some filling... will be here tomorrow if you want to drop in!!