decorating help please!

[butteriesplease]

so, we've decided to get new stair carpet (and upstairs landing and our bedroom). DH reckons we should repaint the hallway (from downstairs all the way up) and redo the skirting boards etc before we get new carpet.

Do I need to prep the woodwork at all?? I seem to remember sugar soap being used 10+ years ago when we moved in...

Also, would you do the woodwork first, then the walls? Or does it not matter. We have to get it done in one day, so need to be efficient!

woodwork just has standard white gloss on, and is skirtings, door frames and a flat bannister (so not separate bannisters, but flat panelling). Just a wee three-bed semi, but it'll be me painting it all, from 8.45 - 3.30pm when the kids are back from School. Do-able?!

DH also wanted to paint our bedroom, btu I don't think I could manage to get that all done too. Can't afford a decorator I don't think.

we also need to strip and re-paper the sitting room, but that will seriously have to wait till the summer.

Yes you do need to prep the woodwork - rub over with a fine grade sandpaper and then wash down, then paint with eggshell or gloss. Usually you paint the woodwork before the walls. I don't think you will get all the woodwork and walls done in a day - usually 2 coats on woodwork but if you're painting it the same colour you may get away with one, ditto walls - usually 2 coats plus all the prep before hand.

thanks. I might be able do some prep in advance (kids allowing). do I really need to sand the woodwork?? Would it be very bad to just wash and paint over?? Or is the sanding just to give a better surface for the new paint to go on?

For gloss, yes you will need to sand a little bit to get the new paint to stay on properly. You might find that the old gloss has yellowed, and it will probably take 2-3 coats. I think you will need two days to do it all properly.

Walls will almost certainly need 2 coats if you are changing colour.

(we recently painted our whole house).

Or to maximise the time available, could you do some during the day, and then another couple of hours when kids are in bed (and with both of you painting)?

we really only have this monday to do decorating as DH is off, and I'm paying to put DS3 in nursery for an extra day. I can do prep in the evening, but painting all needs to get done in one day realistically.

DH can possibly help with the walls, but he's visually impaired so literally can't see where he's painted. Although, the walls are white, and staying white, so I probably wouldn't see where I've painted either!

Woodwork hasn't (noticeably) yellowed, so I'm going for one coat. I'll get some of that one-coat stuff if it exists in gloss.

Damn it, I'll really have to sand it all down won't I? Sigh. Poss DS 1 and 2 can help with that. they would probably enjoy it!

The gloss will need to fully dry before carpet goes in (at least 48 hours, preferably longer).

thanks juggling, we should have a week at least, as not booked the carpet fitting since getting the quote, but will ensure we have enough time for the gloss to dry fully.

so I just had a wee look online - possibly if woodwork not very chipped etc, I could get away with just sugar soaping?? I think woodwork is in OK condition really. Says me, sat at work and not looking at said woodwork...

hang on, found this, which I will follow.

Wash the paintwork from the bottom upwards with sugar soap (available in DIY shops) or warm water and detergent. Rinse with a sponge, working from top to bottom. Then take some fine grade sandpaper and work lightly over the surface to rough up old gloss paintwork in preparation for a new coat. Wipe it down with a damp cloth to get rid of the paint dust, and away you go - get painting!

thank-you Mumsnet for the advice. Off to B&Q for supplies this lunch break!