General tips on decorating
Decorating a room in the home
If you are fed up with your home but can’t afford a move or maybe you love your neighbourhood but just need a change, than redecorating could be the answer. A change is as good as a rest and decorating is very big business in the UK, especially as is much cheaper to refresh a room with a new colour scheme rather than move house! However, professional decorators are costly, so many people opt to do the job themselves to save money.
It can be quite daunting to choose how to decorate a room and many people are anxious of getting it wrong. The main thing to remember is to take your time when you are planning and try ideas out before you commit to the tins of paint or rolls of wallpaper. Many paint manufacturers now sell small pots of paint that you can use as a tester. You can go home and apply it to the wall which will give an impression of how the whole room might turn out. It is also a good idea to buy two or three in similar shades as, quite often, the first one you pick will look completely different when it is actually painted onto the wall. Once you have decided on the right colour and splashed out on the paint, you can get cracking.
How to achieve a great result
Preparation is everything! Get organised. Have all your tools and materials ready so that they are to hand when you need them. Make sure that you clean and prepare the surface to be painted before. It might look clean but there will undoubtedly be contamination on the surface that you cannot see, such as fingerprints, dust and grime. If you do not clean it thoroughly, the finished job will be affected. The best method of cleaning a wall is to use detergent and water or sugar soap and water and scrub with a stiff brush. Allow to dry thoroughly before applying the paint. Try to avoid using harsh chemical cleaners as they can penetrate very deep into the wall and could affect the finished look in the longer term.
Contaminated surfaces
Look out for mould or fungus. You must deal with this before painting or papering otherwise the mould will simply reappear through your newly finished decor scheme. The best way to treat mould and fungus is to use a specialised fungus remover and follow the directions on the packaging carefully. Alternatively, a solution of household bleach and water can be used just as effectively. Use one part of bleach to three parts of water and sponge it over the contaminated areas. It is wise to sponge some of the bleach solution in the area around the mould too, just to be certain that all patches have been treated. Leave it for at least half an hour, then wash down again with a soap or detergent solution. Bleach is alkaline and can burn skin so always wear appropriate protective clothing and safety goggles when dealing with a job like this.
For heavily stained surfaces such as those from smoking or grease, use a strong detergent solution, working it in well with a stiff bristled brush. Rinse, then leave to completely dry out. Then apply a stain blocking primer or sealer. It may need more than one coat to completely solve the problem. Solvent based primers and sealers offer the best result, but always make sure that the room you are working in is well ventilated if you are using this type of product.
Preparing glossy surfaces
You do not necessarily need to remove all the gloss before repainting. If the existing paint is not flaking or peeling off, you should be able to just sand it down with a fine grade abrasive paper. Sanding will ensure that the surface is ready for the new paint. If you do not sand it before painting, the paint will not adhere properly. After using the sandpaper, wipe all the dust off with a clean cloth before getting your paint brush out.
Preparing bare wood for painting
Firstly, check that the wood has not got a fungus or any mould growing on it. If it has, then treat it as per ‘Contaminated surfaces’ above. Sand down any rough surfaces with a medium grade sand paper. Always sand along the grain, not against it and wipe off all dust. If you wet the wood first and leave it for 30 minutes, the grain will rise which can be sanded again for the best finish. Use a bare wood primer and allow it to dry overnight. A second coat can be applied if staining is evident. Follow the instructions on the package carefully, taking note of any safety advice.
Dealing with wall papered surfaces
Wallpaper can be removed by peeling, soaking and scraping, or steaming and scraping. Scrub off any glue and rinse thoroughly. Fill any holes or pits in with any suitable filler. Sand these down and wipe all traces of dust away. The use of a stabilising solution might be necessary prior to decorating. It is also possible to paint directly over wallpaper, as long as it is not peeling or torn in any way. It is best to tape the places where the paper has been joined for the best results.
I have done all the preparation, what now?
You are now ready to get decorating! Use the best quality paint that you can afford, as well as the best brushes or rollers. It might seem expensive, but more expensive paints will generally have better coverage, which could end up cheaper in the long run. Always buy the right paint for the right job, check the tins for the paint’s suitability. Normal emulsion will not have as much resistance to humidity as a specific bathroom paint would, for example.
Once you have completed your project you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Excerpt from Health & Safety Wear the appropriate safety gear. Each job demands specific safety protection...