Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Removing mould from surfaces is vital before any decorating may be carried out. Commonly, you find mould growing in bathrooms where poor ventilation has allowed condensation to occur on wall surfaces – an ideal condition for mould growth. The easiest way of removing mould is to used a mould killer which is simply applied to the area in order to kill off any growth. read more »

Sealing damp stains is essential before applying any paint or wallpaper to your wall surfaces. Patches of damp can appear for a number of reasons – burst or dripping pipes, weeping radiator valves, leaking waste pipes or a broken roof tile are all possibilities. Investigate the cause and get it fixed before dealing with the decorative aspect of the repair. Damp stained areas can only be redecorated successfully if the cause of the damp has been eradicated. read more »

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 »

Space solves

Peeling bathroom paint

The Guardian, Saturday 24 April 2010

We recently repainted the bathroom using a good base coat and three coats of bathroom-quality ceiling paint. Despite our efforts, six months later the paint over the shower enclosure is already peeling. read more »

Space solves

Garden furniture protection

The Guardian, Saturday 22 August 2009

I have a metal and wood garden set that’s been striped by dipping. Is there a clear product to protect the metal without painting it? read more »