Heat stripping is the quickest way to remove paint or varnish, but it needs a lot of expertise if you are to avoid charring the wood. So it is best reserved for stripping out of doors where a less-than-perfect surface will be less noticeable A gas blow-torch is used along with metal scrapers to lift the finish off the wood while it’s still warm Blow- torches with gas canister attachments are light to use and a flame spreader nozzle makes the job easier (it can be bought separately).
Where there’s no …

1. Use a small brush to cut in at the wall and ceiling join and in corners. With a larger brush paint the wall in bands. First, brush across the wall.
2. Move the brush across the wall in the opposite direction. The bands of paint should be about im wide and you should be working downwards.
3. When you are working at the top of the wall your next strokes should be downwards to complete the area you have covered with crossways strokes.
4. At the bottom two-thirds of …

1. Use a brush to paint a strip about 50mm wide round the outside edge of the ceiling; a roller cannot reach right into angles or corners.
2. Pour paint into the roller tray; don’t put in too much at a time or you risk overloading the roller and splashing paint out of the tray.
3. Dip the roller in and pull it back so there is paint at the shallow end of the tray. Push the roller back and forth in the paint at the shallow end.
4. Run the roller over …

1. If you are right-handed, begin at the top right-hand corner (or the top left it you are left-handed). Spray towards a natural break such as a down pipe.
2. As soon as you’ve completed one band of paint you can begin work on the next. Here, the two windows neatly define the next area to be tackled.
3. Keep the gun at right angles to the wall surface when you are spraying. Spray over the edges of the masked-off areas; the paper will protect them.
4. Before you reach …

1. Make sure you’ve got all the equipment you need. Then assemble the components; here, start with the gun and paint hose.
2. Link the other end of the paint hose to the pressurized paint tank. Then connect the air hose to the turbine and the gun. Tighten all connections fully.
3. Fill up the paint tank to the level recommended by the hire company. if thinning is necessary, do it now and then stir the paint thoroughly.
4. Fit the lid of the tank back on. When you are sure it’s correctly …

1.Most exterior wall paints will fill hairline cracks when sprayed on. Rake out and fill larger cracks and holes with mortar or exterior-grade filler.
2.The paint will not adhere properly to a dusty, crumbly surface. Go over areas like these with a stiff brush to remove dirt and any loose material.
3.Where old paint has begun to crack and flake off, use a scraper to remove it from affected areas of the wall. Prime bare areas with paint before spraying.
4.Look out for green spots, which are a sign of mould growth. To …

USING PAINT AND VARNISH
Whether you’re painting your woodwork or using varnish and stain to enhance its natural grain pattern, thorough preparation is as important as careful application.
There’s skill involved in painting walls and ceilings too — and you can create attractive three-dimensional effects using the latest textured paints.
1. A roller is much quicker to use than a brush, but make sure you have a large enough bucket to dip the roller in. Fill this about ½ full.
2. Cut a short plank of wood to the same width as the …