The notes below assume that walls will be painted with emulsion, rather than wallpaper, which is the most usual finish.
Further information can be found on the House Painting Guide - painting information for the do-it-yourself homeowner with detailed instructions and helpful tips. Topics include interior and exterior surface preparation, interior and exterior house painting techniques, drywall repair instructions, wood refinishing, wood deck refinishing and staining, choosing the best painting tools and paint colors.
Some good tips:
- on plastered walls, dilute the first coat at least 10% so that it binds better onto the plaster, and makes the first coat easier to apply
- assuming that the walls have been recently plastered, use a water based (rather than vinyl) white emulsion first. The paint will grip the walls better and be cheaper. The trade advises to put on a final vinyl emulsion a year after plastering.
- freshly plastered walls will have spots of plaster here and there (e.g. flicked off a float) so a quick sand, checking for smoothness with your fingers, will leave a smooth surface for the paint (there will still be some spots missed, and some bits that need filling) before the next coat of paint
- coving often needs an extra coat of emulsion paint to cover properly
- paint ceilings/coving first and then walls, cutting in the wall paint with a brush up to the ceiling/coving
- leave the final coat of paint until all other work is completed - finger marks, knocks and scratches will result from other trades completing their work
