A good paint finish depends far more on preparation than on the paint itself. Painting in the wrong order or over dust and grease leads to runs, patchiness and peeling. This guide takes you through a full room, from clearing the space to the final coat.
Step by step
Clear and protect the room
Move furniture out or into the middle under dust sheets, cover the floor, and remove switch plates only if you are confident doing so safely with the power off at the fuse box. Otherwise mask them carefully.
Check for problems before painting
Look for damp patches, mould, flaking paint and cracks. Paint will not fix damp; find and fix the cause first. In homes built before the 1960s, old paint may contain lead, so do not dry sand or burn it off; seek advice first.
Clean, fill and sand
Wash walls and woodwork with sugar soap to remove grease, rinse and let dry. Fill cracks and holes, sand the filler flush and dust down. Lightly sand glossy woodwork so new paint can grip.
Prime where needed
Use a mist coat on new plaster and a suitable primer on bare wood, filler patches and stains. Priming stops patches showing through and helps the topcoat bond.
Paint in the right order
Work from the top down: ceiling first, then walls, then woodwork such as skirting, doors and frames. Cut in edges with a brush, then roll the main areas while the edges are still wet to avoid lines.
Apply a second coat and tidy up
Let the first coat dry fully according to the tin, then apply the second. Remove masking tape while the final coat is still slightly soft for a clean line, and keep the room ventilated while it dries.
Ready-to-use checklist
- Dust sheets and masking tape
- Sugar soap and sponge
- Filler, filling knife and sandpaper
- Primer or mist coat as needed
- Brushes for cutting in and woodwork
- Roller, tray and extension pole
- Stepladder in good condition
- Good ventilation
Practical tips
- Buy enough paint from the same batch for the whole room to avoid colour differences.
- Keep a wet edge by finishing one wall at a time without stopping halfway.
- Wrap brushes and rollers in cling film between coats rather than washing them.
Common problems
Why can I see roller marks and patches?
Usually the paint was spread too thinly, allowed to dry in patches, or the surface was not primed. Apply another even coat, keeping a wet edge, after priming any bare patches.
The paint is peeling off the woodwork. What went wrong?
The surface was probably glossy, greasy or dusty, or incompatible paints were used. Scrape back the loose paint, clean and key the surface, prime and repaint.
Mould is showing through the new paint. What should I do?
Mould indicates a moisture problem such as condensation or damp. Treat the mould and tackle the cause, such as ventilation or a leak, before redecorating.