How to Paint Skirting Boards
How to Paint Skirting Boards, A Step-by-Step Guide for a Professional Finish
Freshly painted skirting boards can instantly brighten a room's appearance, creating sharp edges and a reflective finish that complements your interior. Matching the skirting board colour to your wall colour can make a bold decorating statement. Contrasting colours can bring a quirky and different feel, or you might just be looking to freshen your woodwork with clean white lines. Whether reviving tired gloss or completing new woodwork, painting skirting boards is a satisfying DIY task. But if you are new to decorating, you might be looking for some tips and tricks before you start. If that’s the case, use our easy step-by-step guide to achieve that smooth, professional finish, without the mess.
Step 1: Protect Flooring and Furniture
Before painting, it's a good practice to cover your furniture and floor against splashes and drips. Place a dust sheet on the floor, remove anything you can, and cover any furniture in the room. Apply masking tape along the edge of the skirting board where the floor meets it, for clean, crisp lines and to stop paint from getting on surfaces or carpets.
Step 2: Clean the Area
Clean the skirting boards using a sponge and sugar soap. This will remove grease, dust, and any other substances that prevent paint from sticking. Let the area dry completely before proceeding.
Step 3: Prime Unpainted Skirting Boards
If you're dealing with raw wood, use a decent wood primer. This allows the paint to adhere well and prevents stains or tannins from bleeding. Use a small brush to cover the surface uniformly, particularly in edges and corners.
Step 4: Sand the Skirting Boards
Allow to dry, then lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. This will smooth the surface for painting and help additional coats adhere better. Remember to wipe off with a clean, dry cloth prior to painting and let the boards dry before you apply anything else.
Step 5: Apply Knotting Solution
If you have softwood skirting boards, you might notice exposed wood knots. These are natural imperfections in wood from where branches were once connected. While some prefer this characteristic, others prefer a clean look. You can treat them with a knotting solution before priming. A knotting solution is a quick-drying liquid used to seal the resin from knots and stop yellow or brown stains from bleeding through future paint.
Step 6: Use Painter's Tape
Apply painter's tape along the upper edge of the skirting board on the wall. This will keep your newly painted walls safe from wayward brushstrokes and give you a sharp edge when the tape is pulled off. Painters tape is designed fit for purpose, and is easier to remove once you are done than other tape such as masking tape.
Step 7: Cut In
With a 2-inch angled paint brush, cut in gradually along the top of the skirting board where it joins the wall. Go slowly and follow the skirt's natural line to form a sharp, clean edge.
Step 8: Colour in with Your Selected Colour
You are now ready to paint the skirting. Apply your selected paint or gloss in long, smooth strokes. Gloss paints, satinwood, or water-based paints are all popular choices based on your desired gloss finish. Two thin coats of paint tend to give the best coverage.
Step 9: Sand Between Coats
After the first coat has dried, lightly sand again to eliminate any brush strokes or unevenness. Clean the surface thoroughly to prevent painting over any dust, and apply a second coat for an even, smooth finish.
Step 10: Clean Up and Remove Tape
As the last coat is drying, peel the tape off slowly at a 45-degree angle to avoid lifting the paint. Clean your tools and step back and enjoy your newly painted skirting boards, the perfect finishing touch to your room.
Final Tips: Use with good-quality paint brushes to prevent streaking and shedding. Provide sufficient drying time between coats for a smooth finish. Ventilate the room while and after painting to allow the paint to dry. Painting a skirting board needn't be tricky, with the right technique and preparation, you can get sharp lines and a first-class finish that will look fantastic on your home.
Ready to Upgrade Your Skirting Boards?
A new coat of paint can give your current skirting boards a new lease on life, but if you're after a more dramatic transformation, why not consider a whole new style altogether? We stock a complete collection of premium skirting boards to suit any interior, ranging from classic to modern.
Prefer a more classic appearance? Our Victorian skirting boards and Ogee profiles bring traditional charm to older homes. For a less ornate design, take a look at our straightforward Square Edge or Chamfered skirting boards, ideal for contemporary houses.
For a natural finish and warmth, take a look at our Oak skirting boards. Alternatively, if you prefer not to paint it at all, our Pre-finished skirting boards are pre-finished and ready to install, without style compromise and time-saving.
Regardless of your preference, you'll discover excellent construction and durable finishes in our entire collection.
View the entire collection today and add the final touch to your bedroom.
