DIY guides
Painting a room: the prep decorators never skip
Practical painting and decorating tips for a crisp, long-lasting finish in your Cardiff home.
A great paint finish is mostly preparation. The painting itself is the quick bit.
Prep checklist
- Move furniture to the middle and cover it and the floor.
- Fill cracks and holes, let them dry, then sand smooth.
- Wash greasy areas such as kitchens and around light switches with sugar soap.
- Prime bare plaster or filler with a mist coat so the topcoat doesn't patch.
- Mask woodwork with a decent tape, or cut in by hand with a good brush.
Order of work
Ceiling first, then walls, then woodwork last. Two thin coats always look better than one thick one.
Damp and mould
Cardiff's wet weather means condensation is common in bathrooms and north-facing rooms. Treat mould with a fungicidal wash and use a mould-resistant paint, but if the wall stays damp, find the cause before redecorating.