Do I need to undercoat?

Southend1

Hi all

Might be a silly question but I'm not very experienced with decorating so bear with me....

If I want to repaint a room with the same or very similar colour as it is currently, do I need to undercoat first or can I just do 2 coats of the colour straight on top?

Thanks

olly300

If it's a similar colour then no you don't.

Casati

No but make sure you sugar soap the walls properly, I know it's tempting not to but personally I wouldn't skimp on this.

McKneff

The trick to a good finish is preparation, preparation, preparation.

Don't rush it.

macman

Are you talking walls (water-based emulsion) or woodwork (oil -based)?

Southend1

macman wrote: »

Are you talking walls (water-based emulsion) or woodwork (oil -based)?

Emulsion on the walls. I will do the woodwork too but will sand and undercoat before glossing. Just asking about the walls because I like the colours but they're looking a bit grubby with scuffs etc so just want to freshen up the room with a new coat of the same colour but don't want to undercoat if I will be wasting my time!

macman

Emulsion doesn't have undercoat, you just use additional coats of the same paint. Touch up the scuffs first, then do a full coat. Depending on the colour change you may not need a further coat. If the new colour is lighter, you probably will.