Our memory cannot always be relied upon!

After buying a tin of paint or stain, it’s a good idea to write the type of paint and the colour mix or tint details in a handy place e.g. the bottom of the tin. That way when it comes time to buy more paint or touch-up the already painted surface, you’ll be able to accurately reorder the right stuff.

If you’re using several tins of paint that are the same colour, mix them together thoroughly first to make sure that the overall colour is consistent.

Select a roller frame with a threaded handle if you want to fit an extension to it. This will take the backache out of reaching ceilings and high walls.

Use a broad flat lever, like the back of a kitchen knife, to prise the paint tin lid off. It is not recommended to use a screwdriver because this can buckle the edge of the lid, making it difficult to reseal properly.

Don’t try to make a can of paint go too far – apart from making the coat too thin, you may not achieve adequate protection.

Avoid painting over wallpaper. While the paper might be in good condition, paint could cause it to peel away from the wall.

When removing old, unstrippable wallpaper, paint on a mixture of 8 parts hot water to 1 part methylated spirits and let soak for 20 minutes keeping the surface damp. The paper should then easily scrape off in small pieces.

If you’re doing intricate work, you may work better by using a smaller paintbrush. Also pour your paint into a small, clean container that you can move around more easily than the bigger paint tin.

If you’re taking a short break from the paint job, wrap your brush or roller in a plastic bag or Gladwrap to keep it moist and ready to use again. For breaks longer than an hour, clean up completely.

Store paint cans upside down to prevent paint from forming a skin on top.