How To Paint Interiors A fresh coat of paint will transform any room, and the satisfaction you will get from doing the job yourself lasts long after the paint has dried ... Read The Full Guide More Popular Guides ... How To Install Home Storage How To Replace Guttering How To Use Silicone Sealants How To Patch a Hole

How much (what area) does 1L of paint cover?

For flat areas like ceilings, walls and doors, just multiply their length by their height, subtracting areas such as the windows. This gives you the area your paint will have to cover. To estimate how much paint is needed for frames of windows and glass doors, multiply their width by their height and divide by five.
As a generalisation: Allow one litre of paint per coat for each 16 square metres to be painted. Add an extra 20% to this quantity for rough or porous surfaces. Remember also that this is just a guideline. The type of paint that you use, the method that you apply it to the surface, the type of undercoat that you use and how thickly you apply your paint will ALL influence how much paint you`ll use to cover an area. Keep in mind therefore that this method of calculating paint literage is an estimate only! Also, you`d need at least 2 coats of paint.

How much pant?

 

For flat areas like ceilings, walls and doors just multiply their length by their height, subtracting such areas as windows and door openings. This gives you the area to be painted. To estimate how much paint is needed for frames of windows and glass doors, multiply their width by their height and divide by five. Allow one litre of paint per coat for each 16 square metres to be painted. Add an extra 20% to this quantity for rough or porous surfaces.

 

Wall Height	Distance around the walls (m)
	10	12	16	20	24
2.4m	4L	6L	6L	8L	8L
2.8m	4L	6L	6L	8L	10L
3.0m	4L	6L	8L	8L	10L
3.2m	4L	6L	8L	8L	10L
3.5m	6L	6L	8L	10L	12L
Please note: Paint quantity required for two coats and is dependant on the type of paint being used.

 

 

	Handy Hints   Accentuate a recessed wall or built-in bookshelf by painting it in a contrasting colour to the rest of the room.

 

 

 

CHOOSING YOUR TOOLS

 

Collect your tools

Your job will be made easier if you gather all the tools and materials that you need at the start. There is nothing more aggravating than having to make a last minute dash to your local Mitre 10 store for something you have forgotten. Buy the best painting tools that you can afford. Good brushes and rollers, properly looked after, will give years of service, speed up the job and give superior results. The choice of roller sleeve depends on the surface you're painting as well as the paint you're using. For water-based paints on smooth surfaces, use a 10mm nap sleeve. For water-based paints on rough surfaces, use a 20mm or 22mm nap sleeve. For extremely rough surfaces, use a 35mm nap sleeve. When rolling on solvent or oil-based paints - use a 6mm mohair nap sleeve or a 5mm foam sleeve.

 

How to use paint rollers

 

The Mitre 10 website contains valuable information on selecting, using and caring for paint rollers and sleeves. Make sure you select a roller frame with a threaded handle that allows you to fit an extension to take the backache out of reaching ceilings and high walls.

 

PREPARATION

 

Preparing for painting

 

As in all things, preparation is the heart of the matter.mIt not only speeds up the finishing coats, but lays a smooth base, ensuring a fine result.

 

New surfaces

 

You’d be surprised at the number of blemishes and scuffs they can have. So sand smooth, dust off and wash down with sugar soap. Prime timber surfaces before repairing any faults.

 

Check plaster and plasterboard for any nail depressions or cracks and overfill with an interior filler, sanding back to a smooth, even finish. Then apply undercoat.

 

 

	Handy Hint When it comes to choosing eco-friendly paint, the first and most important thing to look for is the amount of volatile organic componds contained in the product. The lower VOCs (which are solvents that get released into the air as paint dries, causing nasty odours that can contribute to diminished air quality) the better.

 

 

Painted surfaces in good condition

 

If there’s no flaking or peeling, wash down well with sugar soap to remove dirt, grease and smoke stains. If there’s any mould use sugar soap, then treat with an anti-mould preparation. Check for any cracks and overfill with an interior filler. Sand to an even finish.

 

If the existing surface is an enamel paint, sand thoroughly to remove the gloss. Then apply the undercoat.

 

Painted surfaces in poor condition

 

Scrape away flakes and blisters then smooth with sandpaper. Touch up bare areas with an undercoat or primer. Really bad paintwork should be scraped right back to the bare surface. Use an electric hot air stripping gun (except around window frames or you’ll break the glass), or chemical paint stripper to soften the old paint, making it easy to remove with a blade. Then sand, wash down with sugar soap and treat as a new surface.

 

PAINT APPLICATION

 

If you’re painting a whole room, move all the furniture out if possible. Protect the floor with a drop sheet. Mix the paint thoroughly. Use a paint stirrer and stir from the bottom upwards (not just around) until all the paint is quite smooth and the colour is even. Start with the ceiling, cutting in the edges (leaving a fine edge) around the scotia (the mouldings which cover the line where the wall and ceiling join) with a brush.

 

Fill in the main area with a roller, working from the darkest corner of the room towards the light. Work in narrow strips so you can clearly see where you have stopped and started. Paint around ceiling light fittings, then complete the rest of that band. Next, the walls. Start in the corner, cutting into wall edges, window and door frames. Fill the main areas using a roller, working along the wall evenly in an up and down motion. This helps you see more easily where you have stopped and started. Around windows, paint along the top band and repeat at the bottom.