HELP Botched decorating - how do I make good?

[Kochkor]

First attempt at DIY has been a disaster. I left the painter's tape on while the paint dried (I now know you're supposed to take it off while the paint is wet) and paint has peel off when I removed the tap. What is the best way to sort this out- the wall colour is quite dark so this is noticeable.

You're probably going to have to repaint.

You're probably going to have to repaint.

What start again with 2 coats on all the walls?

You could try re masking it and redoing the bits that need touching up but you might find it dries a different shade to the rest - its worth a try! If that doesn't work another coat all over might have to do it to even it out.

Sand it back a bit where it's flaked so you get a smooth, nonflaky edge, wipe off any dust well, and give the area (not the whole wall) a couple of coats. Remove tape before the last coat is dry this time :)

Don't panic too soon. Even if the colour does look different after a few hours, it is likely to fade in as it dries fully over the next day or two. And don't beat yourself up. Even if you had taken the tape off wet, sometimes the tape takes a bit of paint with it. The best defence is decent brand low tack masking tape and delaying applying it to fresh paint for as long as you can.

Thanks I appreciate the input.

cava It's in several places where the coving meets the wall. So if I sand lightly and wipe down, should I then just touch in the areas with the peeled off paint?

delaying applying it to fresh paint for as long as you can

I still have to do the skirting boards and doors and was going to mask the wall. Is that the right thing to do and, if so, how long should I wait?

Yes, it should be ok. If you're back to bare plaster, ideally thin down the first coat with a bit of water, and it possibly might need a third. I would blend in the edges of the repainted bits and finish each coat in a different place to limit chances of a tide mark but really, with brand new paint down it should blend in no problem. Stir your paint first.

I don't know really on timings, and it depends on your masking tape. I tend to give it overnight as a bare minimum and longer if I can, but you have to balance it with getting the job done. And don't worry. Maybe I just have low standards but to me a bit of paint coming off is just an annoyance, not a failure or botch.

Thanks - I'll give it a go.