basic painting tips for bathroom please

[Bronte]

Had new ensuite now for 3years and still not decorated it!! Do I need to prime the plastered walls first with a thin emulsion or will it be ok to paint straight on to them.
Is there a special roller brush which will go behind towel radiator?
Want to leave wooden skirting and window sill so what stain should I get?
Thanks!

yes, at least one mist coat thinned with water, preferably two, applied by wide brush, onto bare plaster.

Use a matt white emulsion for this as it is cheaper than your finish coat and will not show. As the plaster is not new you can use a vinyl matt.

the white paint will highlight to your eye any blemishes in the plaster which you can fill smooth and re-mist before decorating.

you can get a miniature roller with a longish handle to go behind radiators but I use a very long small brush.

Satinwood paint is best for radiators and pipes, not emulsion or gloss. Clean off all the dust thoroughly first. Radiators are best taken off to paint, if you are fond of DIY plumbing.

Thank you for your tips. Much appreciated. I don't need to paint any radiators. What should I buy to protect and stain the skirting board and window sill?

bathroom windowsills are prone to damp and shampoo bottles which will mark them. An oil based gloss system will protect them better.

Otherwise, I'd go for a satin varnish such as Ronseal Diamond. The one sold for floors is extremely hard wearing. If you want to colour the wood first, tidy it with extra-fine sandpaper on a cork block, clean with white spirit, and dye it with spirit-based Colron Wood Dye. This will give a better colour and texture than using a tinted varnish or stain. It is available in a vast array of colours from large DIY or paint merchants. Cheaper substitutes may be almost as good.

You must protect the wooodwork while painting the walls and ceiling. It is easier to clean fresh emulsion off varnish, than to try to get varnish off walls, so do the woodwork first.

Brilliant advice. Thank you again! Will assemble my shopping list and get going.