Painting walls and ceilings

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Painting walls and ceilings is a simple way to change your decor. There is a wide range of colours from which to choose and it is a task which doesn't take long to complete. You can vary the finish too - decorative techniques like ragging and sponging are easy to learn and can create a stunning appearance.

This small leaflet is intended as a basic guide only.

Many of the products for this project will include manufacturers instructions. These instructions should be followed to ensure best results.

Always consider 'safety' before you start any DIY project. Look for the 'Be Safe' sign and read the safety advice.

Types of paint

Vinyl silk emulsion - creates a silky finish. Its water resistant properties make it particularly suitable for high traffic areas.

Vinyl matt emulsion - a hard wearing paint which gives a smooth matt finish.

This paint is useful for disguising uneven surfaces. It can be used on both walls and ceilings.

Kitchen & bathroom paint - an easy to use paint specially formulated for use in areas of high condensation. It is washable and grease and grime resistant.

One coat emulsion - as its name implies, only one coat of paint is required when decorating, unlike other types of paint which may need two layers. One Coat Emulsion is available in Vinyl Matt and Silk finishes. Two coats may be required when painting pale colours over darker colours.

Amount of paint

On average, emulsion paint covers approximately 14 sq metres per litre. 21/2 litres is usually enough to cover the walls of an average room with one coat of paint. But bear in mind that the amount of paint required will vary according to the surface involved, method of painting and whether one or two coats are being applied. For example, if you are using a decorative finish like ragging or sponging, you will need extra paint.

All these paints can be applied directly onto plaster. Undercoat is very rarely required, although it is advisable to leave new plaster for four weeks before applying primer and then painting.

Preparation

Make sure surfaces to be painted are clean and dry.

Wipe down to remove dust and ensure there are no problem areas suffering from condensation or damp.

Any such problems must be dealt with before painting.

Wallpaper - ideally old wallpaper should be removed before applying paint. This can be done by loosening the paper with water and sponge or with a wallpaper stripper. Scrape off the paper with a stripping knife. If paint is applied directly to wallpaper, heavy patterns may show through. Paper is also absorbent, thus requiring extra paint to give a good finish. Some wallpapers, of course, are made especially for painting.

Emulsion paint - flaky areas should be scraped away and the surface painted with primer.

Brushes

Choose the right brushes for the job. Generally a 100mm (4

Work sequence

	1 Ceilings should be painted first, followed by walls and any wood-work. Begin by painting around the edges of ceiling and cornices. Feather out the paint from the edge. 2 Unless using solid emulsion, fill a third of a roller tray with paint. Dip the roller in the paint and run the roller up and down to spread paint evenly. Starting with the window side, work across the room in patches of criss-cross strokes.
	3 Finish off each section by gently rollering over the surface parallel to the wall. This will even out the paint and create a good appearance. 4 An extension to the roller handle will allow you to paint the ceiling without the need of step ladders.
	5 Paint corners and edges of the wall with a brush. Again feather out the paint from the edge. 6 Using a large brush or roller, cover the wall with paint working from top to bottom. Again use bands of criss-cross patches to ensure the surface is fully covered. Finish off each section by gently rollering over the surface in parallel vertical strokes. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next one. Brush over drips with dry cross strokes as they happen. If they have hardened, allow to dry out before sanding down and repainting.

Decorative finishes

	1 Decorative finishes should be practised on a large piece of paper or board before starting work. Whatever the technique being used, surfaces must first be covered with a light plain base colour. A darker shade or shades should be used on top. Sponging - this creates a speckled effect. One or two toning or contrasting colours are sponged on over the plain base colour.
	2 Place just a little paint in a tray. Then, take a sponge lightly moistened with water and dip into the paint. Dab the sponge onto a piece of scrap paper in order to remove excess paint. 3 Sponge the surface with quick, light movements leaving a flecked pattern on the base coat. A second colour can be added using the same technique once the first paint is dry.
	4 Ragging leaves a soft, mottled effect. It is particularly effective in hiding uneven plaster. Lint free cotton rags or J-cloths must be used. 5 Soak a rag with paint that has been thinned and squeeze out to remove any excess. 6 Roll the rag down the wall using both diagonal and vertical strokes.
	7 An alternative method of ragging, is to apply the thinned paint onto a wall with a brush. Then dab with a rag to lift off excess paint. When you have finished painting, remember to clean your brushes thoroughly. Work off any excess paint on newspaper and simply wash the brushes in warm water. When using paints and varnishes make sure the room you are working in is properly ventilated *.