Painting - tips and tricks

bjorn_toby_wilde

• Do I need to put primer/undercoat on the walls before painting? If so, does it need to be a specific primer or just a general emulsion? I have just had some cable chases filled in so I assume they need a first layer of something, but the rest of the walls are mostly just dingy with a lot of patched up small holes.
• Not usually but  if you thin a bit of emulsion with water (about 10-20%) it will help with the chased out bits, which will tend to dry too fast otherwise.  Clean it down well before painting.  Plenty of sugar soap and washed off with clean water. `Paint doesn't stick well to fingermarks, grease and grime. Preparation is the key.
  
• 1 section of bedroom wall has condensation marks along it, which I am mostly certain is from the previous owners never opening the windows and just having a lot of stuff against those walls. I've heard of anti-condensation paint, is it something that's worth putting on that wall?
• Not a bad idea.
  
• Some of the colours I've chosen are quite dark, is it worth putting up wallpaper before painting so that when they're next painted it'll be easy to remove? If so, any ideas on if it's easy to learn to wallpaper? I will be doing all decorating myself.
  
• Not a good idea.  Use lining paper if your walls are in bad condition but if they're reasonable don't.
• Are there any paint brands which are better or worse than others? I do have a couple of Farrow&Ball tester colours which I really like, but have heard (somewhere on this forum, I think) that it's not especially good paint quality for the price.
• I've heard the same, but I haven't used it myself.  Zinsser paints are usually good.  Stay away from DIY shed own brands. Trade paint is generally better - more opaque so fewer coats.  You can get those Farrow and Ball colours in other paints.  Try a Dulux Decorator Centre and they'll mix the paint you like in that colour.  Flat matts hide imperfections but are unforgiving if they get marked.  Not easy to touch in.
  
• Any recommendations on types of rollers? I've only ever painted with a brush before, but assume that rollers will be easier and quicker but I've no idea which roller material is best to use.
• Avoid really cheap ones. Hamilton are good for the price. Purdy are top of the range
  
• I'll need to re-do the skirting board and doors as well as they've yellowed and don't seem to have been done well in the first place. I know I need to sand them before repainting, but I'm not sure to what level - just until they're rough? Or sand right back to wood beneath the paint?
• Sand back until reasonably smooth, not back to the wood. A P180 grade sandpaper should get it smooth enough. As you don't know what it was painted with before, use a good high adhesion primer like Bullseye 123. Either two coats of that or one plus an undercoat then your topcoat. Water based gloss or satinwood if it's going to be white.  If not white, oil based gloss/satinwood is tougher. Oil based whites go yellow fast.

This is a good video explanation of how to roll a wall.  Keeping a wet edge is essential. Don't stop in the middle of a wall.

watch

Hope that helps

Zekko

Look at getting a radial wall sander that attaches to a standard extension pole. Use it to key the walls before first coat and second coat. This will also remove a lot of paint bumps after your first coat for a nice smooth finish.

For a cut in brush I recommend the Wooster 2-1/2" Gold Edge Cutting In Brush with angled tip (can get from Screwfix etc) - very very easy to use after some practice, holds paint well.