Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Paint requires stripping when there are multiple layers of old paint that are both uneven and loosely adhered to to the wood and/or previous paint layers below. Exterior window sills, for example, are areas that are common to strip before repainting. Most chemical strippers are now more user-friendly than they used to be, as they are water-based. However it is still necessary to only work in well-ventilated areas, and use sufficient dust sheets to protect other surfaces. read more »

Small holes in hollow walls (stud walls) are tricky to fill as if you just use filler, it simply falls through into the void inside the wall. It is therefore necessary to provide some support for the filler, which is best achieved by using a small offcut of plasterboard. read more »

When you need to fill a large hole in a hollow wall (stud wall), the problem is that you can’t just use some patch plaster as it will simply disappear inside the wall as soon as you apply it. It therefore becomes necessary to actually patch in a piece of plasterboard which may then be filled over the top to provide a smooth finish. The thickness of plasterboard does vary and it is normally either 9.5mm or 12.5mm thick. read more »

For filling large holes, and damaged areas, in solid walls (masonry), you need to patch plaster. Plastering on any scale is a messy job so make sure that you use dust sheets to protect surrounding surfaces. If you choose to mix up your own plaster, rather than use ready-mixed, make sure that your buckets are spotlessly clean, and never use out of date plaster as it will harden too quickly making it impossible to smooth. read more »

Preparing ceilings, walls and woodwork for decoration is probably the most important aspect of any decorating task. It’s an old saying, but it’s always the case that ‘good surface preparation will give the best finish’, but make sure you only do what preparation is necessary. For example, primers or sealers are only required if you are painting bare wood surfaces or bare plasterboard surfaces. If you are painting over a previously painted surface, you do not normally need a primer or sealer. read more »