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.

Painting House Walls

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 roller arid put it in the bucket so you can load the roller evenly by pressing against it.

3. When painting the house wall, start at the top right hand corner (if you are right-handed) and use a brush to cut in round the edges.

4. Using the roller, cover a strip on your right-hand side. Don t lean over too far and only make the strip as long as you can easily manage.

5. Move the ladder to the left and paint another strip by the first, without overlapping too much. Touch in round obstacles with a brush.

6. Using the brush again, carefully paint round the window. Try to leave a neat edge with the woodwork and wipe off any splashes with a damp cloth.

7. Continue painting a strip at a time from right to left, then lower the ladder and paint a further series of strips until the wall is covered.

8. Protect pipes by wrapping old newspaper round them and securing it with adhesive tape. Use a brush to paint the wall behind the pipes.

9. Be very careful when painting the bottom edge of the wall, and don’t load the brush too thickly or paint will run onto the path.