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Our 5 top tips for a flawless finish

We've been proudly making paint for over 160 years, and while we pour our hearts into crafting the most vibrant, durable colors, we know a fundamental truth: the paint itself is only half the battle. Even the highest quality premium paint will fall short of expectations if it is applied to a poorly prepared surface or neglected once the brushes are washed. That is exactly why we have compiled this essential guide to help you get the most out of your next home project. Below, you will find our 5 top tips for a flawless finish, focusing heavily on the critical—and often overlooked—steps of proper preparation and essential aftercare. By taking the time to clean, patch, prime, and protect your surfaces correctly, you ensure our beautiful colors can truly shine, resulting in a professional-level finish that will stand the test of time.

1. Before You Open the Tin - Prep Like a Pro

Most of the quality of your finish comes before any paint touches the wall. 

What to Do:
  • Clean all surfaces thoroughly. Dust, grease, and residue prevent proper adhesion.
  • Repair imperfections: Fill cracks and holes, sand flush, and remove flaking paint.
  • Check moisture levels—paint won’t adhere properly to damp plaster or wood.
  • Mask properly: Use good-quality painter’s tape and dust sheets. Time spent taping = cleaner edges.

Cheap masking tape can bleed paint underneath it.

Choose “low-tack professional painter’s tape” and press along the edge with a plastic card for sharp lines. 

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2. Test Your Samples the Smart Way

Choosing colour is one of the biggest decisions — and most people test incorrectly.

How to test samples properly:
  • Paint samples on large A4/50cm sheets of lining paper, not directly on the wall. 
  • This lets you move the swatches around the room to see how light changes them. 
  • Test in at least 3 lighting conditions: morning, mid‑day, and evening. 
  • Place samples next to furniture, flooring, and woodwork to see real-life contrasts. 

Colours appear 1–2 shades darker over large areas.

That’s why a soft sample patch can look much bolder when the whole wall is coated. 

3. Your Finish Deserves the Right Start — Choose Mylands Primer & Undercoat

A flawless finish begins long before the topcoat. Skipping such a base coat is one of the most common DIYers mistakes.

Key Tips for Use:
  • Exceptional adhesion to prevent chipping, peeling, or premature wear. 
  • Superior durability, helping your paintwork stand up beautifully over time. 
  • Fewer topcoat layers needed thanks to excellent opacity and surface preparation. 
  • Truer, richer, more even colour, especially for deep or dramatic shades. 
A tinted undercoat matched to your final colour can dramatically improve coverage and ensure richer depth.
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4. Application Guide 

The tools you choose and the order of application matter. 

Primer Application 
  • Always allow the surface to fully dry from cleaning/sanding. 
  • Apply evenly and let it cure—don’t rush this step. 


Brush Technique 
  • Use a high-quality synthetic brush for cutting in. 
  • Keep a wet edge: avoid letting the paint dry mid‑stroke. 
  • Don’t overload the brush — it causes drips and visible streaks. 


Roller Technique 
  • Choose microfibre rollers for smooth walls or medium-pile for textured walls. 
  • Roll in a “W” or “M” pattern to distribute paint evenly. 
  • Maintain consistent pressure for a uniform finish. 
  • Back‑roll lightly to remove roller lines. 

Professional decorators lightly mist their roller with water before loading it with paint — this helps the roller glide and reduces texture marks. 
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5. Finishing Touches That Make It Look Professional

These final steps elevate the finish from “DIY” to “decorator-grade.”

  1. Remove tape before the paint fully dries — this prevents peeling. 
  2. Inspect the surface under different lighting to catch missed areas. 
  3. Allow proper curing time before moving furniture or cleaning walls. 
  4. Store leftover paint in airtight containers for future touch‑ups. 
Paint takes up to 30 days to fully cure - even though it feels dry in hours. So if you need to, don’t wipe the surface till after that period. 
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