Preparation flowcharts
Room flowcharts — What room are you painting?
Learn how to prepare and repaint hallways, stairways and living areas with this step-by-step guide brought to you by Resene.
Refer to the PDF flowchart for a visual of the steps below:
Using a soft cloth, wipe the walls down using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner.
Fill all dents, defects and holes with PAL Contract Filler or Resene Ezyfill Quick, which is ideal for smaller dents and holes, and lightly sand. Large repairs may need sealing with Resene Quick Dry (D45) primer.
Apply Resene Waterborne Sureseal (D42a) or Resene StainLock (D408) to any water stains or ink marks.
Fill any cracks between the walls and skirtings and/or scotias with Sika Fill That Gap
Mask edges of door and window frames, skirting boards and light switches with yellow washi (multipurpose) masking tape.
Apply topcoats:
Apply 2 coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen (D311) for the most washable finish.
Or apply 2 coats of Resene Zylone Sheen (D302).
Or Resene SpaceCote Flat (D314) if critical light is the main issue to overcome.
An average room will use about 4 litres of paint on the walls
Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is our best system as it is more hardwearing than Resene Zylone Sheen or Resene SpaceCote Flat
Hallways and stairwells are most prone to critical light issues, especially stairwells as they often have high windows and horizontal joins in the wall linings. Use Resene SpaceCote Flat where critical light is an issue. This is not as durable nor hardwearing as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen but will help to minimise the critical light issue.
The actual surface area to be painted is often smaller than expected as there are usually plenty of doors and in older houses, high skirting boards.
A third coat may be required for some colours, bright yellows for example and also some very pale shades. The colour being overcoated is also a factor – if you are going from very dark to light or vice versa.
Products to use
Products marked as "coming soon" or "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, they can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.
It is impossible to cover all decorating scenarios in a single document, so if you are in doubt about any aspect of your project please contact Resene for assistance.
Ask a Paint Expert | Ask a Colour Expert | Visit your local Resene ColorShop
View product range | Choose colours: Colour charts | Colour library | Book a colour consultation