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Remove hardware, clean the walls, repair defects, sand smooth, spot-prime bare or stained areas, then paint the ceiling, trim, and walls in that order. Work in manageable sections and keep a wet edge to prevent lap marks.
This guide is written for South Africa, Australia, New Zealand. Always check local codes, product specifications, licences, and site conditions.
Prepare the room and surfaces before opening paint
Good protection and surface preparation save more time than rushing the first coat. Complete dusty work before clean coating work begins.
- Confirm colour, product, sheen, batch quantity, coverage and recoat instructions.
- Remove curtains, hardware and cover plates only after safely isolating relevant electrical circuits.
- Protect floors and fixed furniture with secured drop sheets rather than loose plastic underfoot.
- Clean grease and dust, repair defects, sand glossy areas and spot-prime exposed substrate.
- Arrange ventilation, safe lighting, a stable step platform and a clean route out of the room.
Choose the preparation from the surface condition
Primer is selected for the substrate and defect. One universal preparation routine cannot solve every stain, repair or old coating.
| Surface condition | Preparation | Before topcoating |
|---|---|---|
| Sound existing acrylic paint | Wash, dull glossy areas and remove all residue | Confirm adhesion and compatibility on a test area |
| Bare plaster or repaired filler | Allow to cure, sand flat, remove dust and use specified sealer or primer | Check suction is even across repairs and surrounding wall |
| Water, smoke or tannin stain | Fix the cause, clean and apply an appropriate stain-blocking system | Make sure the stain does not bleed through the test coat |
| Loose, chalky or unknown coating | Scrape to a firm edge and test adhesion and compatibility | Do not rely on new paint to bind a weak underlying layer |
Deeper guidance
Use a sequence that protects finished work
Complete ceiling work first, then walls, trim and doors according to the chosen products. Cut in manageable sections and roll while the edge remains wet. Keep a consistent roller direction and finish each wall at a natural break; repeatedly touching half-dry paint is a common cause of flashing and texture differences.
Control loading, pressure and drying
Load the roller evenly without flooding it, distribute paint across a small zone and finish with light consistent passes. Heavy pressure squeezes paint from the cover and produces ridges. Follow the stated spreading rate and recoat time, allowing extra time when temperature, humidity or ventilation slows curing.
Inspect under the light the room will use
Raking daylight reveals filling and roller defects, while evening lamps expose cut lines and sheen variation. Inspect after full drying, not while patches are changing colour. Remove tape before the film becomes brittle, refit hardware only when coatings can resist marking, and label leftover paint with the room and date.
Step by step
Clear and protect
Move furniture, remove switch plates, mask only where useful, and cover floors with non-slip drop cloths.
Clean and repair
Wash greasy or dusty surfaces. Fill cracks and holes, allow them to dry, then sand and dust thoroughly.
Prime selectively
Prime bare patches, repaired areas, stains, glossy surfaces, and major colour changes with the appropriate product.
Paint in sequence
Complete ceiling and trim first. Cut in one wall at a time, then roll while the edge remains wet using consistent pressure.
Expert tips
- Box multiple paint tins together for consistent colour.
- Use the recommended roller nap for the wall texture.
- Remove masking tape while the final coat is touch-dry, not fully hardened.
Common questions
Do I always need primer?+
Not always. Sound previously painted walls may only need cleaning and light sanding, but bare, porous, repaired, glossy, or stained areas usually need a suitable primer.
Why are there roller marks on my wall?+
Common causes are uneven pressure, overworking drying paint, the wrong roller nap, or failing to maintain a wet edge.
How long should paint dry between coats?+
Use the product label and adjust for cooler or more humid conditions. Recoating too soon can cause dragging, lifting, or uneven sheen.
Sources & further reading
We link to official building-code, government and public-health material where a technical or safety claim needs authoritative context. Local rules and adopted code editions can change.
- Dulux South AfricaPainting a room? Follow these six stepsRegional manufacturer guidance on room protection, surface preparation, cutting in, coating order and drying.↗
- Dulux AustraliaHow to choose the right paint colourRegional manufacturer guidance covering undertones, lighting, texture and at-home sample testing.↗
- New Zealand Building PerformancePainting and decoratingOfficial New Zealand guidance on preparation, lower-emission products, lead-paint precautions and responsible disposal.↗
Stop if the work involves structural uncertainty, hazardous materials, heights, live services, gas, serious water damage, or regulated work. Local rules differ—use an appropriately licensed professional where required.