Painting

[Doihavetowait]

I just can’t do it. Have tried twice and it was an utter disaster. Got paint everywhere or it looks awful . I can’t clean the brushes properly. I don’t know what to do with turps when used to clean brushes as it’s toxic . Other people can do it, why can’t I!!! Rather than pay someone to do it, what is the secret? I find it immensely stressful .

Most paint is water based now so you won't need turps. Go around the edges carefully and then fill in the middles. Don't overload your brush/roller.

Screamingj is right, just warm water to rinse off most of the paint followed by some washing up liquid rubbed in with a dishwashing-gloved hand. Use a nail brush to really get into the bristles.

If you’re taking a break, or even leaving the brush overnight, clingfilm will keep it useable next day. Put the lid lightly on the paint tin to keep dust etc out.

Some paint jobs are much easier than others. A small cupboard door is fairly easy but room doors and windows are more difficult. We used to live in an old cottage with 23 windows, each consisting of 12 smaller windows, so I became an expert! YouTube videos are very helpful.

Prepare well with something to protect the floor and move as much out of the immediate area as possible. Have lots of paper towels, old towels or similar available. Wear old clothes.

If there’s anything more specific, just ask.

I'm rubbish. DH hates doing it. So we are paying this year. I'd rather go without other things.

Everything you need to know is probably on YouTube videos. Lots of Newbies learn from relatives who impart their knowledge and tips. Is there no one in the family to show you?

Everyone has to start somewhere and it is a learned skill that you are more than capable of doing.

Lots of good tips on here! Do the edges then the middle. Don't over roll the walls, do a bit at a time. Don't overload the roller; squeeze out most of the paint on the tray, then up on the walls. Tape the bits you don't want painted.

I also like to lightly sand my walls between coats with a radial sander on a stick as it makes the finish smoother. Also painters tape - I like Tesa Delicates as I finding frog tape pulls off everything!

I’ve watched you tube videos but feel a bit overwhelmed by all the prep you’re supposed to do. Soap wash , sanding, filling. I bought all the equipment and went for it last time I tried. It just looked a mess, I looked a mess and then I didn’t know how to clean everything afterwards. My dad was great at painting but he’s dead now and never showed me how. Things like how to do radiators and covering the carpet without dust sheets is another mystery. I know I sound useless.

I must admit this is how I feel, but other people seem to manage it.

In what way did it look a mess, OP?
Wobbly edges simply need watching a youtube video, a bit of practice, a decent cutting in brush. If you are really cack-handed you can use masking tape though it causes more problems really imo.
Messy surface? Paint too thick, not spread out enough.
If you were using oil-based gloss it is hard to work with for a novice and unnecessary as there are fantastic water-based paints now in almost every finish - no need for turps.

The paint was too thin and the wrong colour. I gave up pretty quickly because it looked patchy and uneven. The time before that was years ago. I painted over wallpaper which was quite bumpy. Paint dropped all over everything and the whole thing took days. I think I just need to man up and give it another go.

But those other people will be crap at other things. We all have different skills.
Luckily for DH, I have a trade and am good at practical stuff because he's mediocre at DIY at best. He is banned from painting because his cutting in is so terrible, and I try to limit his other forays into DIY as I invariably end up spending more time putting it right than I would have done just doing it in the first place. I encourage him to do the jobs that better suit his skill set 😬
Many people pay to get this stuff done because they can't manage it themselves either at all or to a reasonable standard. I'm grateful, as it keeps me in work! Sometimes, I get really lucky and a very un-practically-minded client will employ me to put flat packs together. This is my favourite job, despite being 'well below my pay grade' as a carpenter, because not only is it easy money, I find it really quite therapeutic. Decorating is much more technical than flat packs!

www.screwfix.com/p/wooster-pelican-hand-held-paint-scuttle-0-95ltr/7132g

This is great. You can clip the brush to magnet and a snail roller sits on it. Cut in around the edges then go over with small roller then fill in using a big roller. Once you have filled the holes and the filler is dry and sanded paint over the filler bits with a coat and let dry . When using the big roller go up and down and fill in the spaces between what you have done already. If you have tall rooms an extension pole to go in end of roller is helpful.

it does look patchy for a coat or two, this is normal. Use a good quality paint old sheets or curtains make good dust sheets.

You will almost certainly need more than one coat to make it not patchy.
Just use dustsheets - I'm not sure how you'd cover stuff without them.
Less is more - unless you are talking coats of paint. Less paint on the brush, and do the edges. Less paint on the roller, and do the middle.
Repeat once - or maybe twice - more.

Practice somewhere.
Drop sheet once furniture moved.
prep first of course - sugar soap, hammer in any stand out nails, putty knife and scrape in putty (from paint shop), sand with paper from paint shop.
Put tape over edges of any woodwork, on glass against window frames,
Use water based reputable brand washable paint for interior walls and ceilings - wash brush out in water and dry ifstopping for a day; cover in glad wrap if stopping for lunch etc..
Use oil based for door frames and arcs etc if in a high traffic area. Turps wash up outside undergarden tap into bucket.

Start with a coat of all purpose under coat which can be tinted if the colour you are replacing or applying is dark..
Lid off, stir paint, read instructions re drying times and temperature.
Paint ceilings before walls.
Use paint brush to cut in around all edges of ceiling or walls and around doorways etc. plugs- about four inches. I use medium plastic bucket with a string handle to hang bucket around my neck. Keep a mug of water and some kitchen paper handy to fix any slops on woodwork etc. quickly.
Use an extension handle on roller.
dip paint onto roller and roll to fill in rest of ceiling or walls in an up and down manner going over each spot three times and ending on edge to do next. repeat until covered.
Wait to dry then repeat cut in and roller process with two coats of top coat..Assess whether any more coats are needed.

Ask your paint retailer for advice on everyting.
Help a friend who is a good painter. I helped my brother who used to work as a painter but you will develop your own ways..

Ooh I'm enjoying this thread - I love painting! You only get better by doing it more and doing it carefully, it's a skill like any other. I've found that good quality paint makes a big difference, and making sure you have a thin brush for the fiddly bits. The bit I hate (which makes all the difference) is the prep before you start - cleaning everything and covering things up. Always keep a wet rag close by for when you drip on something though. As pp has said, wrap the brush in clingfilm (these days I use a doggy poo bag!) overnight to save cleaning it. Best tip to begin with for a first project is use white for the walls and paintwork as it's much more forgiving than a colour. Have a painting outfit you use for painting and keep it for next time. I still wear some old jeans of DH's that I've been wearing for painting for about 25 years. Don't be put off if it's not perfect - it's all your own work and you saved a lot of money.

You've had some really good advice OP. I think some people may be conned by the paint adverts; those that seem to suggest that an afternoon is all it takes. You'd be very lucky to get away with only one coat of paint on your walls! It always takes longer to do than you think, but the painting is actually often quicker to do than all the preparation beforehand. Use plenty of dust sheets so you don't have to keep moving them about, and don't use that very thin polythene stuff on a roll instead as it can be slippery. Good luck; you just need practice.

Thanks everyone. Really helpful and supportive suggestions. I will give it another go!

Another thing that may help is, when painting white over white use the Dulux paint with a faint pink tint. It goes on very pale pink but dries white. This solves the problem of ‘missing bits’ when painting white on white. Also if you are struggling with cutting on on ceilings have you considered painting walls and ceiling the same colour, can also use same colour for doors and radiators. This is a style called ‘room wrapping’ and can look stunning. For preparing I just sweep walls down, quick rub over with very fine sandpaper, sweep dust of walls, skirtings etc. Then 1 coat of paint let it dry overnight and 2nd coat next day. If you don’t like rollers try paint pads and whatever you use do not overload with paint. Good Luck