Prep school

Preparation is the magic ingredient for achieving the best finish when painting walls

empty the room Make sure the room is clear of personal effects and furniture. If you need to leave anything in there, push it to the centre and cover with plastic dust sheets (paint will soak through fabric ones). Use masking tape to protect areas you don’t want to be painted.

wash down Use sugar soap to remove grease, then rinse off. Any water stains on the walls will reappear if painted over, so be sure to use a stain block over the offending streaks.

old wallpaper When painting over paper, make sure it is stuck firm to the walls and use appropriate paints as emulsion can cause paper to blister. In the long run, it’s best to use a steamer to remove any wallcoverings.

Fill Cracks Unscrew hooks, shelf fixings and curtain poles before you begin and fix any small holes with filler. Using a spatula, wipe the filler across the crack, smooth off any excess and leave to dry. Sand it down if it doesn’t dry flat.