5 steps to success

Follow this simple process for a professional-looking paint job. Patience and attention to detail are also key ingredients.

1 CLEAN IT

Dust, dirt and grime will prevent paint sticking to a surface and will ruin the finish, so they must be removed. Make up a sugar-soap solution and use a bit of elbow grease to wash everything down. In the kitchen, make sure you remove any built-up grease. In the bathroom, use a weak bleach solution to kill mould before cleaning.

2 FILL IT

Cracks and holes in walls should be filled using a suitable filler, depending on their size. Fill gaps between building elements, such as skirtings, architraves and walls, with an acrylic gap filler. In areas subject to movement, use a polyurethane filler, such as Sikaflex, which is more flexible. Fill holes in timber using wood putty.

3 SAND IT

Filler should be sanded back so the surface is smooth with its surrounds. It’s also important to sand previously painted surfaces to remove any gloss from them. This helps the following paint coats stick to the old paint. Remove any dust using a vacuum and wipe down with a damp cloth to completely remove dust.

4 PRIME IT

A primer seals new work and helps following paint coats to stick. Spot-prime any filled areas on old work. If you’re planning on using oil-based paint, it’s best to use an oil-based primer. After it has dried, sand lightly using 180-grit sandpaper, especially on timber, so the final coats go onto the smoothest surface possible.

5 PAINT IT

Stir paint thoroughly before application. Apply cornice and ceiling paint first, then cut in around edges and in corners of the walls with a brush. Use a roller to do the rest of the walls. Finish with the trim, doors and windows. Sand lightly between coats to remove brush strokes and the sheen from gloss and semi-gloss paints.