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 Painting
The key to a great paint job is preparation. Begin by removing as many furnishings from the room as you possible can. While it may seem like a lot of trouble it will make the job go faster in the long run. Use plastic or cloth drop clothes to cover any remaining furniture or ceiling light fixtures. Plastic does not absorb paint so until it dries it can smear and make a real mess. I recommend cloth or canvas drop cloths for the floors and areas were there will be traffic. Take down all pictures, paintings, mirrors and window treatments.
Remove wall switch plates and electrical covers being careful not to electrocute yourself in the process. Now it is time to inspect your surfaces. It is essential that the surface be clean of all dirt and grease in order for the primer or paint to absorb properly and for you to get a smooth coat. Use a sponge and TSP (trisodium phosphate) to wash walls and trim. Let the surface dry thoroughly before attempting to sand , prime or paint.
Surface Cracks and Holes- Examine the walls and ceiling for cracks, flaking plaster, nail holes, blistered paint and other surface blemishes . For small nail holes and little cracks, simple fill with several applications of a good wall spackle and putty knife, letting dry and sanding between each application. Be patient and don't be messy. It makes for less sanding. For larger plaster cracks, remove cracked or flaked material with a putty knife. Moisten the area with water with a rag or paint brush, It helps the spackle adhere better. Apply spackle to the surface hole and cover with drywall paper or nylon mesh, integrating it into the spackle. Smooth out, let dry, sand. Don't try to fill all of a large crack or hole all at once. Repeat spackling and sanding between coats.
Mildew- Mildew can be a real predicament in baths, kitchen, laundry rooms, damp closets and basements. Remove mildew with a solution of half household laundry bleach and water. Wear rubber gloves and goggles. Several good scrubbing of bleach and water should remove all the mildew. Let the area dry thoroughly. You may consider having a mildew inhibitor added to your paint and or getting better ventilation to the area. Keep in mind this bleach solution will also bleach out colors in carpets, furnishings etc. Be careful.
Markers & crayons- You can try removing markers and crayon with a little detergent and elbow grease but markers are notorious for showing through fresh paint jobs. Most paint manufactures sell a sealer specifically made to cover marker bleed through. These products work exceptionally well.
Sanding - You will of course want to sand any areas you have been spackled as mention earlier, but also pay attention to "trim" areas that are painted in gloss or semi-gloss paints. These areas will need to be roughed up a bit in order for better adherence. In general walls that have been painted in a latex flat or satin paint will not need to be sanded other than to smooth over any blemishes. Make sure you wash and remove any dust after sanding.
Masking -Don't hesitate to mask off molding, door trim, floor boards etc. Your paint supplier has a vast array of masking tape and painters tape that meet most any masking needs The Right Paint For me, the general rule of thumb is, the more expensive the paint the easier it is to apply and the longer it will last. Use a high quality paint. Wait for the best paint your dealer has goes on sale and buy it.
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Painting 
