Remove old wallpaper without damaging the wall underneath
May 18, 2026
A single feature wall, properly painted, takes a weekend morning — not a weekend. Here’s a six-hour timeline that lets you have lunch and put the furniture back before evening.
What you need
Our Wall Paint Pro Kit (€79) has every tool. Plus: 2.5–5L of water-based interior paint from your local supplier (we sell tools, not paint), and a step ladder you almost certainly already own.
The timeline
9:00 — Move and protect (45 min)
Slide furniture 1.5m away from the wall and cover it with the drop cloth from your kit. Take down switch plates and outlet covers — keep the screws in a small bowl. Tape around skirting, ceiling line and window/door frames with the included low-tack masking tape. Press the tape edge down firmly with a clean finger.
9:45 — Quick clean (15 min)
Wipe the wall with a damp microfiber cloth. Dust kills paint adhesion more than any other single thing. If there are oily fingerprints near light switches, give them a swipe with diluted dish soap and let dry.
10:00 — Cut in the edges (45 min)
With one of the 2″ flat brushes, paint a 5cm strip along the ceiling, corners, skirting board and around outlets. This is the part rollers can’t reach. Take your time — these edges define the finish.
10:45 — First roller coat (45 min)
Pour paint into the tray (use a liner — saves cleanup). Load the roller evenly, then roll it on the dry part of the tray to remove drips. Work in 1m × 1m squares, painting in a W pattern then filling in. Maintain a wet edge — never let the section you just painted dry before you blend the next one in.
11:30 — Wait (90 min — go for lunch)
Water-based paint needs 60–90 minutes between coats. Don’t shortcut this. The wall will look streaky and patchy — that’s normal. The second coat fixes it.
1:00 — Second coat (45 min)
Same routine. Cut in edges, then roll. Most colours need exactly two coats. Very dark colours or covering an old colour may need a third (check at 2pm in good daylight).
1:45 — Pull tape, clean tools (45 min)
Pull tape while the paint is still slightly tacky — pulling later risks tearing dried paint. Wash brushes and the roller in warm water until the water runs clear. Hang to dry.
2:30 — Wait, then put furniture back (30 min)
Let the paint set for 30 minutes before sliding furniture back. Full cure is 24 hours — avoid leaning anything heavy against the wall until tomorrow.
Common mistakes to skip
- Pulling tape after paint dries: it lifts a clean strip of paint with it. Pull while tacky.
- Skipping the second coat: one coat looks fine in evening light, terrible in morning light.
- Loading too much paint on the roller: drips down the wall. Always roll off excess on the dry tray.
