Decorating the house from top to bottom.

[RantyMcRantpants]

We moved into our house four years ago as a new build, our first ever house. This summer I would like to get on and put some personality into the house rather than cream walls. I haven't done it before as DC2 and 3 were going through a drawing on walls phase, we still have problems with DC2 but that is due to ASD though it is more under control. My DH and I have never decorated before and don't know where to start.

We have cracks in some walls following the plasterboard line, some raised nails and also the paint has gone back to the plasterboard where I have tried to wash off scribbled. Paint on skirtings etc. is chipped etc. The decoration in general is rough.

So where do we start? What equipement do we need?? Is it worth getting a Dulux Paint Pod?? Or one of those paint pad thingies?? Any suggestions??

To throw a slight spanner in the works I am partially disabled and DH has just buggered his knee up, we are awaiting an MRI scan to see exactly what he has done.

So tell me folks where do we start? I am thinking about it now so I can get as prepared as possible over the next couple of months and slowly buy what we need.

We did our last house from top to bottom and it was easier than you'd think. In each room we started by removing all nails that we didn't want and using polyfilla to fill any holes/cracks, sanding down afterwards.

Don't bother with a paint pod, they are a bit rubbish imo. You'd be better with a good quality set of brushes and some rollers. Start by using a small brush to do the edges of the walls, carefully doing the line where wall meets skirting/coving/ceiling. Once you have done that, roller the rest and the repeat with a second coat. Buy Dulux or Crown or better, don't buy own brand because it is a false economy.
Then use either white gloss or (my preference) white satin to do the woodwork, so the skirting, door frames etc. If your skirting boards are badly chipped then you will need to sand them down a little first to get a smooth surface to start with.

I think the key thing to know is that most of the time in decorating is spent preparing, waiting for it to dry and cleaning up. Actually painting is comparatively quick in comparison. Spend a long time preparing your surfaces well and your finish will be much better.

Homebase paint is really good.

I'd do a floor at a time, starting at the top of the house, and leave the stairs and hall till last.

The prep is the messy/dusty bit so don't paint anything on that floor until all the prep on that floor is finished, otherwise your new paint will get dusty. Close all doors to rooms you are not working in while prepping, so dust doesn't travel.

Prepping: For your cracks between sheets of plasterboard, you need jointing tape to tape over the gap between the sheets. Then use polyfilla or decorators filler over the top of that. Without the tape, the crack will just open up again after you've painted.

Use filler to fill in any worn areas of plaster (eg where you've scrubbed). You'll need to knock in or remove the raised nails and then put filler into the nail hole.

Make sure all filler is fully dry, then sand it down to be smooth with the walls. If there are big holes you'll need to do the filler in two stages, drying between each.

Prepping the woodwork: chip off any badly flaking areas, then sand down till there is a smooth edge with the remaining paintwork. If there is a big chip you may need to use filler again. And then sand once dry.

Sand all woodwork lightly (even if not chipped) before painting, otherwise the new paint won't hold so well.

Hoover up all dust before starting to paint.

Painting: Ideally, clean the walls (eg with sugar soap) before starting to paint. Make sure all woodwork is clean and not greasy.

Then paint...

As grendel says, the time is in the prepping really.

Thanks for the tips folks. Very useful. Looks like I shall have to start buying paintbrushes, dustsheets etc. must admit I am not looking forward to this to this at all. Though DH has just told me that a job has come up in a area of the country we want to move to eventually and it is quite a good opportunity so he is going to apPly for it, so I may be painting all the Walls magnolia again

DH will be disappointed about the paint pod though as he was looking forward to a new gadget

Dont use water based undercoat or gloss as it is pants. Wickes do a very good solvent based undercoat and gloss which goes on very well and is hardwearing.
Waterbased is cheaper and quicker drying but will yellow quickly and is not as hard wearing as solvent based.
For cealings stick with dulux white matt and invest in a decent long handled roller. Buy the best brushes you can afford but dont use them for glossing when new. Either wearing them in with a bit of emusioning first or soak them in water for several days and then give them a good rub with an old rag.
Dont buy plastic dust steets, either invest in some decent cloth ones or use old sheets/curtains ect.
Buy some decorators caulk for filing any holes or gaps between skirting/coving and walls and a decent sanding block fior smoothing down any rough bits.
Buy yourself a folding ladder to reach the high bits and remember never to over reach. It might be a bit of a pain to have to keep moving the ladder but many a home decorator has broken a bone or two from over reaching and falling or even just toppling the ladder over and spilling half a pot of dulux over the bed.

Lots of good advice and videos on the Crown and Dulux websites:-

www.crownpaint.co.uk/help-and-advice/index.htm

www.dulux.co.uk/studio/masterclasses/index.jsp