Painting - Preparing to Decorate

Here are the key steps to preparing a room for a new coat
of paint or paper. Whatever type of surface you're going to
tackle it must be clean, dry and smooth for the best
results - preparation is the secret of a good-looking
finish.

Time to complete job: Preparing a room for a new coat of
paint or paper will take at least half a day, including
filling and smoothing old plaster.

Approximate budget: The basic tools and materials should
cost less than £20 for most rooms.

You will need:
Sugar soap
Bucket and sponge
Rubber gloves
Interior plaster filler
Decorator's sealant
Filling knife
Sanding block or electric sander
Dust sheets
Step ladder
Dust mask

Tip: Always wear a dust mask and spread dust sheets over
the floor before tackling the job.

Step 1: Smoothing the surface Scrape off any flaking paint
with a flexible filling knife and smooth the surface with a
sanding block. For more tips on stripping back paint, see
Paint Stripping. If there is wallpaper on the walls this
will need removing. For tips on doing this, see Stripping
Wallpaper.

Step 2: Repairing damaged plaster Sometimes patches of old
plaster become loose or cracked. Pick out the loose areas
with your filling knife and repair the areas with plaster
filler. Work methodically over the whole room to make sure
you have treated all the damaged areas. When the filler is
dry, use an electric sander or sanding block to smooth any
rough areas of plaster and blend in the new repairs. Very
powdery plasterwork or new bare plaster should be coated
with a coat of plaster sealer. For larger patches of
plaster that need repairing, see Patching Damaged Plaster.
Tip: Cracks around the skirting boards and door frames will
spoil your new finish. Rake out any chipped paint and fill
the gaps with a flexible decorator's sealant.

Step 3: Cleaning Wash off any black mould with a solution
of household bleach and leave to dry. Heavy mould or
tobacco stains should be covered with a sealer coat of
Anti-Damp Paint. Tip: It's essential to treat the cause of
mould and damp patches before redecorating.

Step 4: Lining Decide if the exposed walls need covering
with lining paper. If the walls have large repair patches
or lots of tiny hairline cracks, covering with plain lining
paper will provide a smooth base for paint or wallpaper.
Hang the paper just like ordinary wallpaper and leave
overnight to dry. For more tips, see Wallpapering. Finally,
remove any dirt and grease with sugar soap or hot water and
washing-up liquid. Don't forget to wash the ceiling as well
if it's going to be decorated.


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