HOW TO PREP

If working with wood, first sand down the surface. ‘A sandpaper with a P180 or a

P240 grade will work best, sanding in the direction of the grain,’ says Matthew Brown, technical consultant at Sadolin and Sandtex. Brush away the dust, clean thoroughly and ensure your surface is completely dry before picking up your paintbrush. Always begin with a primer for a smoother finish, before applying your base coat. Consider your timings, too. ‘If painting in early spring, beware damp mornings and cold, humid evenings that could allow moisture to get trapped in your paint, causing discolouring known as blushing or blooming,’ says Matthew. ‘In the height of summer, avoid painting in direct sunlight in the hottest part of the day – 8°C is your ideal outdoor painting temperature’