Painting a new build house.

thisisjimmi

Hi

I need to paint inside walls of a new build type of house which was built in 2005 and has never been painted after that (it has a water base paint on the walls I believe). I am a total amateur in the DIY department, could you please advise what is the best way to go with this task. In particular:

1. What paint would be the most optimal for the job? I don’t mind spending a little extra on a quality paint. Do I need to use a grounding paint for the first coat in a new built house?
2. What technique would be the best? A roller, a brush?
3. Are there any websites, magazines that I can use for the inspiration of how to decorate the house? What colours go well together in different types of rooms, hallways etc.
4. Where is it the best to get the paint, brushes, protective tape etc from?
5. I have a 2 year old and my wife is pregnant, is it safe to paint the house? Would inhaling the paint be safe for them?
6. What is the best way to cover cracks and little holes in the walls?
7. Anything I forgot to ask?

Many thanks

ormus

water based emulsion is the product to use. dulux and other well known brands tend to be better quality.
you dont need an undercoat, but you may need two coats esp if the walls are dirty or youre changing the color.
use a roller on the walls, its the best for a beginner.
wickes and BQ are ok for all your decorating needs.
water based paint is perfectly safe for children and pets.

cracks and holes need polyfilla first. fill the holes and wipe off any excess with a damp cloth or sponge.
sand it down flat, when its dry.

dennycluckie

if the walls have not been touched make sure you use matt emmultion two coats min it seals gyproc better if you are going to paper still do same and add 1coat silk emmultion then paper so that the wall is sealed better for when you eventually want to change it:T

keystone

dennycluckie wrote: »

if the walls have not been touched make sure you use matt emmultion two coats min it seals gyproc better if you are going to paper still do same and add 1coat silk emmultion then paper so that the wall is sealed better for when you eventually want to change it:T

I trust you'll pardon me contradicting you but a neat coat of silk over unpainted plaster is really asking for trouble. It won't seal the plaster at all as it will just sit on the surface and will peel. Just as bad as trying to "seal" plaster with the dreaded PVA! Also if you paint mat over the top it will craze as the matt won't stick to the silk. Bare unpainted plaster requires a mist coat (thinned down by no more than 20% for bog standard stuff) that will be absorbed and will seal the surface first.

Only once you have mist coated can you start to apply other finishes.

Cheers

thisisjimmi

Many thanks all for youre replies.
Just to confirm - the house is a new built (2005) and the walls are painited with a standard paint you get when the developer sells the house - I belive it is a water based one, colour magnoria. So there is a some paint on the walls - do I still have to use the special under coat paint first? I am after a semi quick job - sanding the walls is not an option.

cheers!

ormus

no undercoat is required on your 5 yr old walls, with paint already on.
a good clean with sugar soap is as good idea as is a quick rub/scratch over with some sand paper.
just to give the new paint an ideal suface to adhere to.

the above are talking about newly plastered walls.

Quirky6000

thisisjimmi wrote: »

Hi


5. I have a 2 year old and my wife is pregnant, is it safe to paint the house? Would inhaling the paint be safe for them?

I would advise that nobody inhales the paint

keystone

ormus wrote: »

no undercoat is required on your 5 yr old walls, with paint already on.
a good clean with sugar soap is as good idea as is a quick rub/scratch over with some sand paper.
just to give the new paint an ideal suface to adhere to.

This is good advice. OP sanding means a light rub with a fine grit paper to give it a key and take out any lumps left by the previous painter. It is not necessary to apply your belt sander to it!

the above are talking about newly plastered walls.

Indeed so but Post #3 needed a response for the benefit of others reading this thread.

Cheers

keystone

thisisjimmi wrote: »

I have a 2 year old and my wife is pregnant...............

Haven't you discovered whats causing it yet?

Cheers

dennycluckie

keystone wrote: »

I trust you'll pardon me contradicting you but a neat coat of silk over unpainted plaster is really asking for trouble. It won't seal the plaster at all as it will just sit on the surface and will peel. Just as bad as trying to "seal" plaster with the dreaded PVA! Also if you paint mat over the top it will craze as the matt won't stick to the silk. Bare unpainted plaster requires a mist coat (thinned down by no more than 20% for bog standard stuff) that will be absorbed and will seal the surface first.

Only once you have mist coated can you start to apply other finishes.

Cheers

no probs mate but try reading it again i said do the same THEN 1 coat silk to seal that is 2 coats matt plus 1 silk but yes uoy are right

thisisjimmi

Thanks everyone!

I would advise that nobody inhales the paint

- hehe not directly from the can . What I wanted to say was: can, a two year old and a pregnant lady be in the same house\room after being painted?

no undercoat is required on your 5 yr old walls, with paint already on.
a good clean with sugar soap is as good idea as is a quick rub/scratch over with some sand paper.
just to give the new paint an ideal suface to adhere to.

water based emulsion is the product to use. dulux and other well known brands tend to be better quality.
you don’t need an undercoat, but you may need two coats esp if the walls are dirty or youre changing the color.
use a roller on the walls, its the best for a beginner.
wickes and BQ are ok for all your decorating needs.
water based paint is perfectly safe for children and pets.
cracks and holes need polyfilla first. fill the holes and wipe off any excess with a damp cloth or sponge.
sand it down flat, when its dry.

-I am going to go with this, thanks ormus :beer:. I've got two more if I may:
1. Do you do the rub/scratch or the sugar soap clean first? Can you suggest any tools that can aid this?
2. Is it worth going with a single coat paint such as Dulux once (I have to say I am tempted!) or should I put 2 coats with normal water based emulsion? Any thoughts?

Haven't you discovered whats causing it yet?

- I have no idea mate

Cheers