Interior painting FAQs

Your commonly asked questions, answered

Whether you consider interior painting to be a relaxing and therapeutic activity, or loathe it but want to spruce up your living space, it’s a cost-effective solution to give your home a makeover. To save costs you may be looking to paint your walls yourself, so we’ve put together the ultimate painting and decorating FAQs, so you can be as knowledgeable as possible and paint your home to a professional standard.

How to paint furniture?

A great way to breathe new life into your home is to paint furniture. From refreshing the existing colour to choosing a new one entirely, you can upscale old furniture with ease. Start by prepping the furniture, giving it a clean and wipe down, removing any hardware (so handles on a kitchen cupboard, for example) and sanding the surface to create a slightly rougher texture for the paint to stick to. You should also use a primer before painting as this seals the surface and provides the perfect base.

Now, onto the painting, always give the paint a stir first and paint in regular thin layers rather than one thick layer, this helps give more even coverage and you will avoid drips. Follow the instructions on your paint for drying times and allow the layer of paint to dry before adding another. Once dried, fully cured and you’re happy with the result you can consider adding a clear topcoat for durability.

What is emulsion paint?

Emulsion paint is a water-based, popular type of paint that can be used on both exterior and interior walls. Emulsion paint can be used on a variety of surfaces and materials with a quick drying time, making it a go-to choice for many. Often used on walls and ceilings you can choose from a variety of finishes including matte, eggshell, gloss and satin, depending on your preference and desired look. Emulsion paint is often chosen over oil-based as it has low odour, dries faster and can be cleaned more easily due to being water-based.

When can you paint new plaster?

Your plaster must be fully dry before painting and how soon you can paint new plaster will depend on the drying time which is affected by humidity, temperature and ventilation. The plaster will also need curing, this is a process when the plaster reaches full hardness and durability. There are some key ways to tell if your plaster is dry enough to paint, from ensuring it is dry to the touch with no dampness, seeing a consistent colour throughout and checking for any dark spots (as these are not ready to be painted and still need curing). The key to painting new plaster? Patience.

What is a mist coat?

A mist coat is a diluted layer of emulsion paint applied to newly plastered walls before painting. The purpose of a mist coat is to seal and prepare the fresh plaster for the coats of full paint. Applying a mist coat helps achieve a more even finish, seals the fresh plaster and helps the paint apply more easily.

What is the ratio of paint to water for new plaster?

The usual ratio of water to paint for new plaster is 50/50 - half water and half paint, however, you should always read the instructions on the specific paint you’ve bought to be sure. Using a clean bucket, mix the water and paint ensuring you stir well so that the mixture is smooth - now you’ve created your mist coat. So, how many mist coats do you need on new plaster? The mist coat should be thin and will not hold much colour, even appearing translucent, it is recommended to only use one mist coat before painting.

How to paint a uPVC door?

Painting doors can be much cheaper and easier than replacing them entirely, whilst still making your home appear fresh and new. A uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) door has a plastic-type finish and requires careful preparation before painting due to the material. The key to painting uPVC effectively is to make sure you purchase uPVC door paint, these are specifically designed for the surface and will therefore apply much easier and better. Clean the door to remove any risk of contamination to the paint and sand the surface to roughen the texture. Apply a uPVC primer before painting as this will help the paint stick, allow this to dry fully before painting.

Like painting furniture, walls or ceilings, always make sure your first layer of paint has dried before adding another. With the correct surface prep and materials you can transform your uPVC door with ease!

How to clean paintbrushes?

Cleaning paintbrushes is essential to increase their longevity and allow them to be used time and time again - and who wants to buy new paintbrushes every time they start some DIY? Here are some simple steps to clean your paintbrushes after using them to paint your home:

Remove excess paint - using the side of the paint can, get rid of any extra paint from the brush, this will make the cleaning process easier and minimise waste.
Prepare a cleaning solution - fill a sink or bucket with warm water and paintbrush cleaner (or dish soap).
Soak the brushes - submerge your paintbrushes into the cleaning solution, and leave them for a few minutes as this will loosen the paint, use your fingers to rub the bristles and work the solution in.
Rinse - ensure the brushes are rinsed thoroughly and any dried paint is removed, you can use a wire brush or comb to do this.
Reshape the bristles - to keep the bristle shape intact, gently tap the paintbrush against a hard surface, this will prevent them from sticking together and drying in the wrong places.
Hang and air dry - let the paintbrush air dry and hang it up so the bristles keep their shape.