Painting gloss skirting boards involves careful preparation and application to achieve a smooth, durable finish. The process primarily consists of cleaning, sanding, re-cleaning, masking, and finally, painting the surface.
Painting skirting boards transforms the look of a room and protects the wood. While gloss paint provides a tough, often wipeable finish, proper preparation is key to ensuring the new paint adheres well to the existing surface, especially if it's already glossy.
Here's a breakdown of the typical steps involved:
Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Gloss Skirting
Successfully painting gloss skirting boards relies heavily on thorough surface preparation. Skipping steps can lead to poor adhesion, visible brush strokes, or an uneven finish.
1. Clean The Surface Of The Skirting Board
Before any sanding or painting begins, it's crucial to ensure the skirting board is free from dust, dirt, grease, and grime.
- Action: Use a damp cloth or rag to wipe down the entire surface of the skirting board.
- Detail: A mild detergent solution can be used for stubborn marks, but ensure the surface is rinsed clean afterwards. Allow the wood to dry completely before proceeding. This initial cleaning removes contaminants that could be pushed into the surface during sanding or prevent paint adhesion.
2. Sand The Surface
Sanding is a critical step, particularly when painting over an existing gloss finish. It helps to key the surface, providing a better grip for the new paint.
- Action: Lightly sand the entire surface of the skirting board.
- Detail: Use a fine-grit sandpaper (e.g., 120-grit or 180-grit) to scuff up the existing finish. The goal isn't to remove all the old paint, but to dull the glossy surface. For any imperfections like dents or old paint runs, use a slightly coarser grit and then finish with a finer one. Sanding creates micro-scrathes that the new paint can adhere to.
3. Clean The Skirtings Again
After sanding, dust particles will be present on the skirting boards and potentially in the surrounding area. These must be removed before painting.
- Action: Clean the skirtings again to remove all sanding dust.
- Detail: Use a dry brush or vacuum cleaner attachment to remove loose dust. Follow this with a tack cloth or a slightly damp cloth (ensure it's only slightly damp and the surface dries quickly) to pick up any remaining fine particles. A dust-free surface is essential for a smooth paint finish.
4. Masking Tape
Protecting adjacent surfaces like walls and flooring is vital to achieve clean lines and avoid paint drips.
- Action: Apply masking tape along the top edge where the skirting meets the wall and along the bottom edge where it meets the floor or carpet.
- Detail: Press the edges of the tape down firmly to create a seal and prevent paint from bleeding underneath. Use good quality painter's tape for clean removal later.
5. Paint The Skirting
With the surface prepared and protected, you can now apply the paint.
- Action: Apply the chosen gloss paint to the skirting board.
- Detail: Use a suitable brush or roller designed for trim work. Apply paint in smooth, even strokes, following the grain of the wood where applicable. Avoid overloading the brush/roller to prevent drips and runs. It's usually better to apply two thin coats rather than one thick one. Allow the first coat to dry completely according to the paint manufacturer's instructions before applying the second coat.
By following these steps, you can achieve a professional-looking, durable gloss finish on your skirting boards.
