Michael R Light - DIY Guide to Painting and Wallpapering: A Complete Handbook to Finishing Walls and Trim for a Stylish Home (Creative Homeowner) Illustrated Step-by-Step Instructions for Decorating & Troubleshooting

I dedicate this book to Stan Newton, whose help with computers made it possible.

Copyright 2010, 2018 Michael R. Light and Creative Homeowner

DIY Guide to Painting and Wallpapering (ISBN 978-1-58011-805-7) is a revised edition of The DIY Decorators Handbook (ISBN 978-1-84773-422-8).

This book may not be reproduced, either in part or in its entirety, in any form, by any means, without written permission from the pulisher, with the exception of brief excerpts for purposes of radio, television, or published review. All rights, including the right of translation, are reserved. Note: Be sure to familiarize yourself with manufacturers instructions for tools, equipment, and materials before beginning a project. Although all possible measures have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material presented, neither the author nor the publisher is liable in case of misinterpretation of directions, misapplication, or typographical error.

Creative Homeowner is a registered trademark of New Design Originals Corporation.

DIY Guide to Painting and Wallpapering

Vice President-Content: Christopher Reggio

Editor: Anthony Regolino

Technical Editor: Chris Cavanaugh

Copy Editor: Laura Taylor

Cover and Page Designer: Mary Ann Kahn

Indexer: Elizabeth Walker

eISBN 978-1-60765-510-7

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Light, M. R. (Michael R.), author.

Title: DIY guide to painting and wallpapering / Michael R. Light.

Description: Mount Joy, PA : Creative Homeowner, 2018. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017059793 | ISBN 9781580118057

Subjects: LCSH: Interior painting--Amateurs manuals. |

Paperhanging--Amateurs manuals.

Classification: LCC TT323 .L54 2018 | DDC 747/.3--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017059793

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Creative Homeowner, www.creativehomeowner.com, is an imprint of New Design Originals Corporation and distributed exclusively in North America by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 800-457-9112, 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552, and in the United Kingdom by Grantham Book Service, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7XQ.

When a friend of mine recently became a first-time home buyer, he wanted to know how to decorate his newly acquired property. He looked in bookshops and libraries for a small, informative book, only to find that most decorating books were tomes: thick books that covered many aspects of DIY, but only had a small section on decorating. They were, as he put it, books to make your arms ache.

He knew that I had over 40 years of professional decorating experience and at one time had been a qualified technical instructor of painting and decorating, so he suggested that I write a small book on the subject, using my knowledge and experience of the trade.

Before I actually started to write, I did some research into the books that were currently available. I did, in fact, find that most were large, heavy books, with a few exceptions. These books, although smaller and containing lots of information, were what I would describe as piecemeal, a bit of this and a bit of that with little continuity of the subject. So what I have tried to present here is a dedicated decorating book, set out in a progressive and step-by-step format. The text not only tells you what to do, but the illustrations show you how to go about doing it.

The book is intended to give professional decorating advice to anyone who is prepared to tackle the job for him- or herself, particularly the first-time DIY decorator. The main aspects of decorating work are covered, including preparation of surfaces, with many types of materials outlined. Faults and problems with paint finishes and wallpaper are described with remedies and solutions listed, and types of tools and brushes used are illustrated. Throughout the book there are dozens of decorators dodges shortcuts and useful hints to save you time and effort.

I hope that the information Ive provided will be useful to you and that my knowledge of the industry will encourage you to tackle your decorating work. There is no better teacher than experience, which with the help of this book you will gain.

This book is intended to give professional decorating advice to anyone who is prepared to tackle the job on his or her own, in particular, the first-time DIY decorator. The main aspects of decorating work are covered and many types of materials are described.

Not only does it tell you what to do, but shows you, with the help of hundreds of diagrams, many of which provide you with step-by-step instructions. Throughout the book dozens of decorators dodges are describedlook for these for useful shortcuts, hints, and tips.

The book is divided into four main sections: Before You Begin; Preparation; Painting; and Hanging Wallpaper. A detailed index makes it easy for you to find what you want quickly.

Ladders and stepladders are basic to many DIY decorating projects, and wooden planks also have a role to play in some circumstances.

General painting You will need a stepladder. Note that ceilings can be painted using a roller on an extension pole handle, so you may only need to use the stepladder for cutting in the edges of the ceiling.

Painting ceilings You will need two stepladders and a plank. Use the plank at a height that will bring your head at eye level near the ceiling, thus avoiding stretching up to the work.