Cut in, load the roller properly, apply even coats and avoid roller marks at edges and corners.
What you'll achieve
Even walls with sharp lines at ceiling, corners and woodwork.
Suitable surfaces and conditions
Prepared and, where needed, primed plaster and plasterboard walls.
Tools and materials
- Wall paint as specified
- Cutting-in brush
- Roller, medium-pile sleeve, tray, short extension pole
- Stepladder
- Low-tack tape (optional)
- Dust sheets
Preparation checklist
- Ceiling painted and dry.
- Surfaces prepared (Lesson 3) and primed (Lesson 4).
- Socket faceplates masked or removed with power isolated.
Safety precautions
- Ventilate the room while painting and drying.
- Wear eye protection when working overhead or with chemicals.
- Keep paint, solvents and tools out of reach of children and pets.
- Move furniture safely — get help with heavy items.
Step by step
- Stir paint thoroughly; if using several tins of the same colour, mix (box) them together for consistent colour.
- Cut in one wall at a time: ceiling line, corners, around sockets and above skirting.
- Roll that wall straight away while the cut-in edges are still wet.
- Start about a roller-width from a corner and roll a 'W' or 'M' pattern about a metre wide, then fill in without lifting the roller.
- Roll as close to the edges as you can to blend into the cutting in.
- Finish each section with light vertical strokes from top to bottom.
- Work across the wall, keeping a wet edge. Finish a whole wall before taking a break.
- Inspect with a torch and correct runs while wet.
- Allow to dry and apply the second coat in the same way.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Painting a wall in two sessions — visible join.
- Spreading paint too thin to 'make it go further'.
- Different batches not mixed — slight colour difference.
Troubleshooting
- Roller marks: usually too little paint or pressing too hard — lay off lightly.
- Sheen differences around edges ('picture framing'): cut in and roll each wall together.
Final quality check
- Uniform colour and sheen
- Straight ceiling line and corners
- No paint on woodwork, sockets or floors
Drying and recoating
Drying, recoating and curing times depend on the product, temperature, humidity and ventilation. Use the times on the product data sheet; cooler or damper conditions usually mean longer waits. A coat can feel dry well before it is ready for another coat or for use.
Cleaning and storage
As Lesson 2. Label and keep a little leftover paint for touch-ups, sealed tight and stored frost-free.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and technical data sheet — they take precedence over general guidance here. This is educational guidance only, not a qualification or certificate.