Painting & Decorating

Lessons

1. 01

   Why Paint Peels

   Learn how paint grips a surface, why it fails at its weakest layer and how the back of a flake tells you which one.

   11 steps
2. 02

   Reading the Surface

   Work out what a surface is made of, what's on it, whether it's sound and whether it's dry before you open a tin.

   10 steps·Builds on Why Paint Peels
3. 03

   Lead, Asbestos and Old Paint

   Know which old paint and textured coatings to leave alone, why their dust is the danger and who to call.

   10 steps·Builds on Reading the Surface
4. 04

   Damp and Mould Before You Paint

   See why paint can't fix a damp wall, how to deal safely with a small patch of mould and when the wall is ready to decorate.

   12 steps·Builds on Reading the Surface
5. 05

   Filling and Sanding

   Make holes, cracks and gaps disappear under paint: fill in layers, caulk what moves, sand flush and stop repairs showing through.

   11 steps·Builds on Reading the Surface, Lead, Asbestos and Old Paint
6. 06

   How Paint Becomes a Film

   See how emulsion fuses into a film as its water leaves, how oil paint cures with air, and why cold and steam spoil both.

   9 steps·Builds on Why Paint Peels
7. 07

   Choosing Paint

   Pick a sheen, a scrub rating and a colour that suit the room, and work out how much paint to buy.

   10 steps·Builds on How Paint Becomes a Film
8. 08

   Choosing the Right Primer

   Choose a primer by the job it has to do, grip, seal, block or protect, so you can prime a surface this lesson never mentions.

   9 steps·Builds on How Paint Becomes a Film, Reading the Surface
9. 09

   Cutting In

   Brush a clean edge where walls meet ceilings and trim, and stop the border showing as a frame round every wall.

   9 steps·Builds on Choosing Paint
10. 10

    Rolling Walls and Ceilings

    Choose the right roller sleeve, keep a wet edge and paint a room in the right order, from ceiling to woodwork.

    9 steps·Builds on Cutting In
11. 11

    Painting Woodwork

    Paint doors, frames and skirting to a smooth finish: prepare, undercoat, lay off along the grain and catch runs before they set.

    9 steps·Builds on Rolling Walls and Ceilings, Choosing the Right Primer
12. 12

    Drying vs Curing

    Tell touch dry, recoatable and cured apart, so doors don't stick, walls don't smear and a deadline doesn't spoil the job.

    9 steps·Builds on How Paint Becomes a Film
13. 13

    Reading Paint Failures

    Read what a paint fault is telling you from where it is, when it appeared and what's underneath, before you repaint.

    9 steps·Builds on Why Paint Peels, Damp and Mould Before You Paint, Filling and Sanding, Choosing the Right Primer
14. 14

    Clean-Up, Storage and Disposal

    Wash your tools without polluting a stream, keep leftover paint usable and deal safely with oily rags.

    9 steps·Builds on How Paint Becomes a Film
15. 15

    One Room, Start to Finish

    Plan the repaint of a real room, from old gloss and a ceiling stain to a dry door, in an order where every job gets its time.

    11 steps·Builds on Lead, Asbestos and Old Paint, Damp and Mould Before You Paint, Filling and Sanding, Choosing Paint, Choosing the Right Primer, Painting Woodwork, Drying vs Curing