paint ceiling 1st or drill holes ?

[Deleted member 112675]

Hello Everyone

I have a freshly skimmed ceiling with no holes. Planning to have some downlights installed.

Obviously I have to mist coat then paint ceiling but should the holes for the downlights be drilled before or after?

My thinking was if before then wet mistcoat paint might drip all over the holes and if drilling the holes after, then maybe the plaster dust will ruin the freshly painted finish.

Anyway what do you do and why?

Thanks for taking the time !

 

[James]

drill holes first, have you sorted the cables to the holes yet? if you haven't involved a spark yet, now is the time to do so.

edit,
my thoughts behind this are if you drill holes first, any errors can be fixed before final paint coat.
I.e. when you drill a downlight hole and it is half over a timber.
easy to fill and plaster when not painted, will blend and disappear.

 

[MFS Electrical]

Is the wiring in yet or is there access above? I’ve never had a problem drilling after painting has been done as long as wiring etc is in place.

 

[Andy78]

Best idea would to have had the wiring installed before skimming, but as long as there is access from above it shouldn't be an issue. Install wiring and get holes drilled first just in case there is any patching to do. You never know.

 

[littlespark]

The lampless downlights can be fitted before painting, then add the decorative bezel after.

 

[Deleted member 112675]

As ever, many thanks for all your replies!

I should have said I do have good access from above. The wiring isn't done yet. I skimmed first because I did it myself, its a big room and was only just about within my limits. Having 12 holes would have made it that much harder.

So from now consensus seems to be to drill holes first in case I make a mistake. Cans are Enlite DLM982X . (I've made the mistake before of fitting cheap cans and didn't want to make it twice!). They have seperate bezel.

So I'm thinking:
1/ mist coat the lot
2/ measure and drill holes
3/ fit cans, wire up and test
4/ final paint
5/ fit bezels (and gu10s!)

?

Its in a bedroom......

 

[rolyberkin]

Paint first and then fit afterwards, use a dade and just hoover any remaining dust off. Fit a decent downlight where it actually fits the cut out size, I always try to use Enlite E5's and never had an issue, had plenty of issues with GU10 downlight cans though!

 

[littlespark]

12 in a bedroom? That’s gonna be hella bright!

 

[Intoelectrics]

12 in a bedroom? That’s gonna be hella bright!

It is London though, where I live we only need one per room

 

[telectrix]

It is London though, where I live we only need one per room

and that's a gas lamp.

 

[Andy78]

As always, at the risk of being a stuck record, you should be getting an electrician to undertake and verify this work. Regulations, personal safety, home insurance, etc. Lots of reasons.
And 12 is far too many for a bedroom, unless it's big enough for 2 kingsize beds, room to manoeuvre, and an ensuite.

 

[Zerax]

...And 12 is far too many for a bedroom, unless it's big enough for 2 kingsize beds, room to manoeuvre, and an ensuite.

...or they're the very small downlighters ?

 

[Andy78]

...or they're the very small downlighters ?

Yes. Just noticed OP is using cans and GU10s so may suffer from the pimple ceiling effect common when using halogen GU10 with tight beam angles.
I don't think I've ever put more than 4 integrated downlights in an average sized double bedroom.

 

[telectrix]

Yes. Just noticed OP is using cans and GU10s so may suffer from the pimple ceiling effect common when using halogen GU10 with tight beam angles.
I don't think I've ever put more than 4 integrated downlights in an average sized double bedroom.

agree. 4 - 6 dimmables would seem more realistic. ( course, OP might be making naughty videos, in which case 12 might be required.)

 

[Intoelectrics]

agree. 4 - 6 dimmables would seem more realistic. ( course, OP might be making naughty videos, in which case 12 might be required.)

That depends on who is in the videos, might be better with low lighting ?