Paint or not to paint.

smile86

It's worth a go for sure. Very easy using a roller, and a little brush for around the edges.

OH taught himself to tile with a video from B&Q a few years back. Made a really good job of it too.

AngelsMadv

A lot of people in this thread (bar the original responder to the OP) seem to be underestimating the skill of a professional decorator. I too have a time saved decorator ( 6 years, not the two that's all that's required nowadays) as a father who taught me well. As the previous poster said; preparation is key. I tend to spend twice as long doing the preparation as the painting. Use filler for flat cracks, caulk with a caulk gun for going round the edges of woodwork, up the walls. If it's a wall with grease then sugar soap it and let it dry. Give the wall a light sanding and remove any flaking old paint.

It's fun, give it a go, but please don't think by a long shot it will be anywhere near what a professional can do. My dad's getting on a bit now but he can still whip round a living room (2 coats) in 3 hours including prep.

Also, if you're planning on living there a while, get some decent paint. If you want to do the woodwork, sand and undercoat that before your second coat on your walls. Do the ceiling before you finish the walls because you'll get drips and splatter marks. Always give each area two good coats.

Most of all, have fun! :j

AngelsMadv

SUESMITH wrote: »

dead easy! i use paint pads as i don't get on with rollers

hahaha! Sorry, they're atrocious!

SUESMITH_2

AngelsMadv wrote: »

hahaha! Sorry, they're atrocious!

always worked fine for us, horses for courses

kltoddie

AngelsMadv wrote: »

Also, if you're planning on living there a while, get some decent paint.

Yeah, as it was for a kids bedroom we got the diamond scrubbable paint - cost a fortune but it's brilliant and 2.5 years on it looks just freshly painted.

http://www.icipaints.co.uk/products/info/dulux_trade_diamond_matt.jsp

Lirin

AngelsMadV- I appreciate what you're saying. My kitchen ceiling- first thing I ever plastered in my life- will always hold fond, lumpy memories and a sense of achievement.
I know full well now what I did wrong- plaster not thick enough and not applied smoothly enough. Hindsight's a wonderful thing. Attempts since have been a lot better. My first attempt at least stayed on the ceiling.
Still- £200 for a pro, or a few pounds for a bag..... and I like to live and learn!

I was taught a lot by my father as a child- and will give anything a go, if I think I can. Thankfully, I know plenty in a lot of trades who are more than happy to laugh at me when I phone with a query.

Up next for us buying a bigger house- the one we've placed an offer on has two standing walls and aluminium sheeting for a roof.

How'd you get on with the painting?