my system

[HawkEye244]

So this is the order I decorate:

1) sand, fill and sand all surfaces

2) hoover and clean down walls & ceiling with plain water (not using sugar soap because no smokers here & walls in good condition)

3) paint ceiling x2 coats emulsion

4) paint walls x2 coats emulsion

5) paint joinery x2 coats satinwood

I am reasonably happy with this system using mostly delux and wickes paints (only force of habit that I use these paints, I don't use them because I think they are better than any others, in fact coverage of delux paints I have found to be extremely poor so likely to stop using them soon).

I was wondering whether anyone has anything to add that can help me take things to the next level? While I am happy with the results one can always do better.

 

[Nige F]

Step 1) consider using Red Devil Onetime filler - sand, onetime, no need to sand again

 

[HawkEye244]

Will do nige thanks for the tip

 

[phatboy]

No undercoats on that woodwork?

 

[Doggit]

Or rub down the woodwork first either.

And with the price of that filler, I'll rub down twice.

 

[HawkEye244]

No undercoats on that woodwork?

I've found this quite tricky with doors and door linings where that much extra paint can be enough to stop the door from functioning properly ?

 

[darkan9el]

Sandpaper in one hand henry vacuum in the other I sand down around where I'm filling first, helps to get a nice fill for minimum sanding after filling, I will also fill 2 three times if needed to get a good finish, I can't abide over filling. I find very little difference between the finish whether I use two coats satin or 1 coat undercoat 1 coat satin. I will undercoat for a colour change or when there is substantial yellowing enough to stop the satin covering to a solid finish.

 

[Doggit]

Try 2 undecoat, and then 2 satin coats, and then see the difference. But if you learn to overfill slightly, you can often (although not always) sand down in one go. Undercoat gives a good base for the topcoat to grip to, although Satin, not being so glossy, may give a good grip for the next coat. But if putting on a few extra coats makes the door stick, then it's too tight in the first place, so shaving a couple of mill off may be a good idea.

 

[darkan9el]

Just to clarify on overfilling too much, if you over fill too much what you end up doing is creating a dwell, where you sand around the fill as much as you sand the fill and wear away the paint or wood, to create a shallow moat effect, just a thing to be aware of.