Page 9 - Tips & Advice

Wallpapering is one of those jobs that can be made a lot, lot easier with good preparation and of course by having the right tools for the job. In this guide we’ll go through not only the way to get a perfect finish every time, but also the tools you’ll need for this.

Step 1

Before you even consider a wallpapering job the first step to undertake is the preparation of the surface. This may mean stripping the existing wallpaper or could just be a case of washing down the existing paintwork to make sure it is clean and will form a good base for your wallpaper. Don’t forget to fill any holes and if the surface is rough then it is well worth using lining paper to create a smooth surface.

Step 2

Next up is measuring the wall that you’d like to wallpaper to work out how much material you’ll need. If you are using patterned paper you’ll need to know the pattern repeat as this will mean that you need more paper and will

We all know that the secret to a great finish is getting the preparation right but another trade secret is using the right paint in order to treat common problem areas. Whether treating damp to dealing with substandard surfaces there are plenty of products now available that’ll help you tackle even the hardest of decorating jobs. Our range of paints and finishes has grown extensively over the years driven by the demand of trade professionals to get the best product for the job.

So without further ado let’s take a look at some of the best paints and problem solving coatings that you can use to solve a range of decoration problems.

Interior Emulsion Paint

The standard solution for the majority of interior painting jobs our range of Dulux and Armstead trade paints have better coverage and offer a greater finish than standard DIY paints. We also offer special formulations of trade paint such as the Armstead Trade Anti-Mould paints that are perfect for

One of the biggest things that separate a professional painter from an amateur is the amount of preparation work that is done before a paintbrush is even wielded. Not only will proper preparation lead to a much better finish but it will also save you time and money as you won’t need to redo the painting. So with that in mind let’s take a look at the top techniques and tools you will need for proper preparation.

Wash surfaces

The first step is to thoroughly wash down the surface that is to be painted. This is particularly important for woodwork and one of the keys to create a stable base for new paint. The tools you will need include a couple of buckets, sponges and detergent such as sugar soap. Using one bucket filled with detergent start from the bottom of your surface and work your way upwards. Once you have finished you will need to rinse the area using clean water and a new sponge which is why we recommend a couple of buckets.

Sanding

So you want to make the transition from amateur DIY to becoming a professional painter or decorator. Well if you are good with your hands and can provide a reliable and consistent service then setting up your own business could be the way forward. In this article we will take you through the ins and outs of setting up a painting and decorating business.

Step 1

The first step is to make sure that you have the skills and experience to be able to undertake either residential or commercial work. This is where experience really plays a key part and we would strongly advise that before setting up on your own you try and get experience working for an established company. Not only will you be able to learn the skills needed for the trade but you will also gain valuable on-site experience.

Step 2

Once you have the experience you can now start to think about setting up on your own and becoming a self-employed painter or decorator. While commercial jobs offer

It often comes as a surprise to most people that there is actually a difference between trade quality and retail quality paint. In fact as most of the big DIY chains only stock retail paint, a huge amount of customers do not even realise that there is such a thing as trade paint and assume it is the same thing but the trade just get a discount.

This could not be further from the truth. Trade paint is of a much higher quality than general retail paint and it will not only go further when covering a wall but it will also need less coats to produce a high quality finish. Because trade paint has a different formulation and uses a different pigment it offers much greater coverage and a better overall finish than retail DIY paint.

There is a reason that professional painters and decorators use trade paint and it isn’t because it’s cheap. The quality of trade paint can often mean that it costs more than retail paint but because painters and decorators buy bulk sizes they

If you want to get the best results when decorating a room then you need to know what colours go together and how they can be combined in a room to help highlight the features. There are a few techniques that can be used to create colour schemes that work and we will run through these below for you.

Using a colour wheel

A colour wheel is a simple tool which shows a range of colours in circle format. As well as showing tones the colour wheel can be used to show colours that: complement each other, are closely related and are harmonious. There is a great online colour wheel that can help you find matching colours that can be found at: https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/

Analogous colours

Analogous colours are colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel and are closely related. These colours naturally work well together and are particularly suited to rooms where you want

The 2016 Dulux colour palette has a warm and friendly feel but with the addition of a dark mysterious element. Bright colours have a softer tone, think coral not orange and ochre instead of yellow. By looking at trends and the various disciplines of design Dulux puts together colour palettes that capture the mood of the moment.

‘Looking both ways’ is the overarching theme for the year ahead which aims to celebrate the beauty in contrast. Some of the themes encompassed within this include: Words & Pictures, The Grid & Letting Go, Dark & Light and Heritage & Future. All of these combine elements of equal and opposites which can be put together for a stunning visual effect.

For 2016 the Dulux colour of the year takes some inspiration from 2015’s colour and ties into the ongoing trend of using metallic tones in paint. The colour for 2016 is ‘Cherished Gold’ which is a beautiful next step and natural evolution of last year’s ‘Copper

The winter months may seem like the worst time to paint the interior of your house but if you are looking to pay a painter to do the work for you then this could be the best time of year to choose. Not only are the winter months generally quieter, meaning you should be able to get the work done quickly, but because the air is a lot less humid, the paint will dry quicker too.

If you are looking to get a professional in to do the work then make sure you get a quote from at least 3 decorators so you can compare the prices and get the best deal. Unless you are on a very strict budget, price should not be the limiting factor for choosing a painter. Some of the questions that you should ask include: Is the painter licensed and insured? What brand and grade of paint will be used? How many coats will be applied? What surface preparation will be done?

To get the job done, tradesmen need the right tools. Whether stripping wallpaper, or washing down industrial surfaces, you’d be surprised the difference that the right product will make – which is why everyone should understand the exact product for their needs.

To discover those products that you need to know for all manner of cleaning and removal, continue reading below:

Paint and Varnish Removers that Pack a Punch

Whether removing a poorly painted wall design or cleaning the surface prior to slapping down a few coats, the right paint stripper can be a Godsend – providing that you choose the right one for your environment.

Are you stuck, unsure of which is the most effective varnish remover? Fear not, Homestrip’s Paint and Varnish Remover will come to your rescue. The effective, water-based, vapour-free varnish remover can remove as much as five coats from a single

When choosing a paintbrush there are a number of things to consider, first of which is what you are looking to paint. The surface that you are looking to paint will play an important part in what brush is right for the job. There are a huge range of brushes available to choose from and this guide will help you pick the right paintbrush for the job.

Our first tip is that a good quality paintbrush will not only last longer, but will deliver a better finish than a cheap brush. If you are looking to get professional results then you need the right tool for the job and a cheap synthetic brush simply won’t be up to the job.

When painting with oil-based paints you should always use natural bristle brushes as they absorb a lot of paint and offer a smooth and soft uniform finish. Bristle brushes are also best for use with oil based stains and varnishes.

For latex paints, acrylic paints and water based stains a synthetic brush will give the best results. These brushes are