Paint
Painting Interior Woodwork and Metal
Don't let chipped radiators and grubby woodwork spoil your room makeover. Follow our essential guide to preparing and painting interior wood and metal.
Time to complete job: Allow an hour for a radiator and two hours for a medium-sized window frame (excluding drying time).
Approximate budget: Less than £100 for an average house.
You will need:
- Electric sander and abrasive sheets
- Wood filler
- Metal filler
- Filling knife
- Paintbrushes
- Steel wool
- Wet and dry paper
- White spirit
- Clean cloth
- Masking tape
- Dust sheets
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Sugar soap
- Knotting
- Quick-drying water-based wood primer
- Metal primer
- Satin or gloss-finish wood and metal paints
Although MDF has a smooth surface, water-based paints like emulsions are easily absorbed by the wood fibres. This makes the board swell and roughens the surface. Always choose an MDF primer to seal the material before finishing with a matt, satin or gloss topcoat.
Lead Paint
Paint on old woodwork (pre-1960) may contain lead that can be a hazard if stripped with a heat gun or sander. Buy a Lead Tester Pen from a DIY store to check if your old paint contains lead and follow the tips on removing it safely. Visit the FAQs at the British Coatings Federation for more advice on the best way to deal with lead paint.
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