How do I paint a windowsill?

[MaggieFS]

I've done lots of walls before but can't think when I've ever done internal woodwork! I've just painted a room and was hoping to get away without doing the windowsill but it has marks on it.

It's currently white and in good condition, it just needs a coat to hide the marks.

• do I need to sand it?
• do I use a tiny roller or a brush?

If it's wood that's been previously painted you'll need to give it a rough sanding to key in the new paint. I've used both brushes and mini rollers in the past and I think you get a better finish with the roller although you'll need a small brush for the edges.

I don't know if you can paint Upvc.

Yes you will need to sand and clear away any dust or dirt. Sanding gives a rougher surface that the new paint can adhere to.

Sorry, yes, it is wood. Thank you. If I use a rough sandpaper, do I then need to use a smooth afterwards?

Not really, you are trying to create a rough surface, the gloss paint should fill in any imperfection. I have a sanding block for window frames so it can get in the corners, it has a medium grade on 2 sides and a finer grade on the other 2. You don't need to rub the old paint right away unless it is bubbled or peeling - you're just roughing up the surface. If you have to cover up any actual wood or darker areas then consider using undercoat before the gloss.

Look on Youtube or paint manufacturers website its really easy

If you're going back to bare wood, you can use a spirit-based wood preserver such as Cuprinol Clear, and Aluminium Wood Primer (it is grey, not silver) which IME is supremely durable.

I think oil paints are still more durable than water for an exposed external window.

Don't try to paint it in winter. You need dry weather.

Thank you all. It's an existing wooden windowsill, not gloss paint, (but I do have wood paint) but it's got stains from god knows where so I just want to do one coat over the top. Hoping it will be quick and simple!

is it the internal thing, where the cat sits, and you put photos, pot plants, ornaments (the window board)?

Or the outside part that rain falls on (the sill)?

treatment will be different.

undercoat is better than gloss for obliterating marks.

If it just needs a coat of paint, I’d just do a coat of probably satin, with an appropriately sized brush.

Internal. The paint I've got is Dulux satinwood so sounds like a sand and then use a brush are the way to go. Thanks