Help......need Decorating Advice

[GymLadTim]

Hi, can someone give me some advice on painting a room, explained in the most simple way possible please.

I tried to paint my mom's bathroom earlier this year, three walls were a neutral colour and one was a bright feature colour. I put some tape around the edges of the other walls and ceiling first and then painted the feature wall. Then when this dried I put tape on the feature wall and painted the other walls.

The problem was when I pulled the tape off the walls I'd pained it pulled the paint off with it and ended up looking a right mess and my mom went mental.

Now I have to paint the hallway but how do you stop the paint of the wrong colour going on the wrong wall or ceiling when tape rips the paint off????

Also what type of gloss do you think I should use for the white skirting board??

I've been looking online but just don't get it can anyone explain this to someone who is not technical at all.

Thanks

Tim

[davebro]

"I put some tape around the edges"

Did you use "painter's tape"? And you need to remove it slowly not just rip it off. (I think)

[douglas9401]

Don't use tape.
Non-drip gloss.
Ceiling first, then walls, gloss last.

[GymLadTim]

I went into b&q and they recommended this tape don't know what it's called that brown tape but not painters tape. I probably did rip it fast.

[GymLadTim]

How do you keep a straight line if you don't use tape????

[douglas9401]

Practice dear boy.

[Mamyalynne]

If you must use tape then make sure it's low tack, especially on newly painted surfaces.

One here but widely available.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/frogtape-painters-delicate-surface-masking-tape-41m-x-24mm/54939

[GymLadTim]

Thanks guys - might try the tape not sure I'm confident in my steady hand.

[douglas9401]

If you must use tape you need to feather the paint that touches it so you don't get a thick line.
You should also remove the tape before the paint is fully dry.

[Buenchico]

Have you checked Youtube? I've just found loads of videos that look as if they might help but, since I can't decide which one is best to embed here, it might be best if you just took a look for yourself.

[retrocop]

If you are not that confident I would look for a young Polish Team. They have a 'can do' attitude,good prices and good workmanship. I can't believe I just typed that but having experienced British 'fly boy' cowboys I know where to ask now. Not so long back the memsahib was a dab hand at painting/decorating. Age catches up on us :-(

[Prudie]

I'd definitely recommend Frog tape for delicate surfaces and I have found for getting really nice edges I use a firm piece of thin perspex that you can push into corners where walls/ceilings meet and paint against, (I cut some from the type that forms the back and front of document holders with the clip on the side, pinched from work....).

[scorpiojo]

..and a small brush

[Captain2]

You can buy something like this at the wall joints

Amazon.com User Recommendation

[Maydup]

I recommend one of those plastic splatter sheilds ^^^ for the straight colour joining edge. Either that or suggest the hall be all one colour.
Use satin paint for the skirting, its much easier to use and manage and gives a shiny durable finish.

Finally, if you do your best and Mom is not appreciative then you know what to tell her to do!!

[Cloverjo]

Use masking tape.

[Ken4155]

Don't use any tape on the walls. Chances are, no matter how recent they have been plastered/painted, you will pull some of the surface off when you remove the tape. If you're using a matt emulsion, roll/brush the walls before 'cutting in'. If silk, do the 'cutting in' first.
For the 'cutting in' make sure you have a good quality brush - angled ones are superb - load it with paint and begin cutting in about 1/2 inch below the ceiling. Slowly drag the brush, and it's reservoir of paint, up to the ceiling and paint a straight line until your brush begins to run dry. Then, reload the brush, begin about 6 inches away from where you ended, and drag the brush in the opposite direction until it has overlapped your first application. Remove any extra build up of paint with your brush. Continue this procedure until you have cut in around the room. Tape the skirting boards up, ensuring that there is no tape on the wall, and cut in along the bottom of the walls. Then cut in down the corner angles either side of your feature wall - no need to be neat on the walls that do not meet the feature walls. Tried to make that sound as simple as i could; hope i succeeded.

[GymLadTim]

Thanks for all of your advice, hopefully I can do a decent job!!!

[The Builder]

I think it's all been said, Timbo.

Tape is difficult. Car re-sprayers have this problem even with masking tape.
I've used masking tape, but only on old stable paintwork that isn't likely to come away.

The plastic paint guards can be useful, but you need to practice.
Of course, the best way is with a top quality brush, and I mean really top quality. Most people's problems stem from using cheap brushes.
Always false economy.

Considering that it's a bathroom, there is something else you could try.
A coloured silicone sealant with the nozzle cut to a fine squirt. Apply using a simple frame gun.
Run it down the inside angle. Dip your finger in a cup of water (to stop it dragging). Then run the finger down the bead to finish.

Really good professional finish. Even the colour doesn't have to match exactly. The effect is still good.

[The Builder]

^^^needless to say ... apply the silicone (or even Decorator's Caulk) AFTER you've painted.

[ummmm]

I've never used tape on a wall but I can paint in straight lines.

My OH though, crappiest painter on the planet!!