Painting

Painting - Preparing to Decorate

Here are the key steps to preparing a room for a new coat of paint or paper. Whatever type of surface you're going to tackle it must be clean, dry and smooth for the best results - preparation is the secret of a good-looking finish.

Time to complete job: Preparing a room for a new coat of paint or paper will take at least half a day, including filling and smoothing old plaster.

Approximate budget: The basic tools and materials should cost less than £20 for most rooms.

You will need:
Sugar soap
Bucket and sponge
Rubber gloves
Interior plaster filler
Decorator's sealant
Filling knife
Sanding block or electric sander
Dust sheets
Step ladder
Dust mask

Tip: Always wear a dust mask and spread dust sheets over the floor before tackling the job.

Step 1: Smoothing the surface Scrape off any flaking paint with a flexible filling knife and smooth the surface with a sanding block. For more tips on stripping back paint, see Paint Stripping. If there is wallpaper on the walls this will need removing. For tips on doing this, see Stripping Wallpaper.

Step 2: Repairing damaged plaster Sometimes patches of old plaster become loose or cracked. Pick out the loose areas with your filling knife and repair the areas with plaster filler. Work methodically over the whole room to make sure you have treated all the damaged areas. When the filler is dry, use an electric sander or sanding block to smooth any rough areas of plaster and blend in the new repairs. Very powdery plasterwork or new bare plaster should be coated with a coat of plaster sealer. For larger patches of plaster that need repairing, see Patching Damaged Plaster. Tip: Cracks around the skirting boards and door frames will spoil your new finish. Rake out any chipped paint and fill the gaps with a flexible decorator's sealant.

Step 3: Cleaning Wash off any black mould with a solution of household bleach and leave to dry. Heavy mould or tobacco stains should be covered with a sealer coat of Anti-Damp Paint. Tip: It's essential to treat the cause of mould and damp patches before redecorating.

Step 4: Lining Decide if the exposed walls need covering with lining paper. If the walls have large repair patches or lots of tiny hairline cracks, covering with plain lining paper will provide a smooth base for paint or wallpaper. Hang the paper just like ordinary wallpaper and leave overnight to dry. For more tips, see Wallpapering. Finally, remove any dirt and grease with sugar soap or hot water and washing-up liquid. Don't forget to wash the ceiling as well if it's going to be decorated.

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