Skirting boards can become subject to everyday wear and tear and dust build-up. Whilst they’re pretty durable overall, it’s inevitable they’ll need a fresh coat of paint once in a while to keep them in tip-top condition.
Painting skirting boards can really enhance the look of a home. There are plenty of valuable tips and tricks to use when revamping your clients’ space. Read on for our complete guide on how to prepare and paint wooden skirting boards.
Before you start prepping and painting the skirting boards, make sure you have a clear idea of the colour you’re going to use. The skirting board colour should complement the tone of the overall house. If you or a client wants a modern look, suggest darker colours. If they want the room to look spacious and airy, suggest lighter colours.
When it comes to choosing skirting board paint, you can’t go wrong with a gloss finish. Dulux gloss paint features hardwearing properties and is great for interior wood surfaces. Or, if your client is after a matte look, our satin products are the ideal choice.
To prep and paint wooden skirting boards effectively, you will need:
Sugar soap solution and a sponge
Wood filler
Sandpaper (or an electric sander)
Knotting solution
Carpet protector
Painter’s tape
Primer (if painting on new, unpainted skirting boards)
A 2” paintbrush
Your chosen paint
Once you’ve gathered your equipment and tools, follow these simple steps:
Preparation
Prepare the room by moving any furniture out of the way.
Clean the skirting boards using a sugar soap solution.
Sand the wood down and fill in any cracks.
Apply knotting solution to any knots in the skirting boards.
Painting and aftercare
Prepare the room with floor protector and painter’s tape.
Prime the skirting boards.
Your clients can keep the skirting boards in great condition by regularly cleaning and dusting them.
Before cleaning the skirting boards, pull all furniture away from the walls (and out of the room if possible) to avoid any damage or splash marks.
The skirting boards need to be properly cleaned before you go ahead with painting. Dilute some sugar soap liquid concentrate into a bucket of warm water and wipe the solution over the skirting boards with a sponge.
Once the skirting boards are clean and dry, it’s time to move on to sanding. Sanding is a crucial step in creating a flat surface that paint will easily stick to.
If thick paint needs taking off, use a paint stripper and a brush to remove it. Fill in any cracks using a wood filler. Then, use sandpaper or an electric sander to lightly sand the wood, and make sure to sand in the direction of the grain.
When you’ve finished sanding, use a cloth to wipe away any excess dust. Protect yourself by wearing a dust mask when sanding.
If the skirting boards contain any knots, treat them with a knotting solution. It’s important not to skip this step, as any knots you paint over will show through, no matter how many coats you apply. Use a brush to apply a thin layer of knotting solution to the wood. Leave to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.
Before painting, it’s important to ensure the floor is protected from any damage or spillages. Lay down some dust sheets or a carpet protector. Try and secure them as close to the skirting boards as possible. You could also use a piece of cardboard to protect the floor – simply tuck it underneath the skirting board and secure it with tape.
Then, run a line of painter’s tape along the base of the floor and as close to the skirting board as you can.
If you’re dealing with unpainted skirting boards, it’s a good idea to apply primer before the painting stage to ensure a professional finish. Choose from our extensive range of high-quality primers and use a 2” brush to apply. After priming, lightly sand the skirting boards with fine sandpaper for a smooth finish.
Using the same 2” brush you used to apply the primer, take your chosen paint and apply it to the skirting board using long sweeping motions. Make sure to remove any excess paint from the brush against the inside of the tin.
Start at the top of the skirting board. Position your brush at a 45-degree angle, remembering to paint in the direction of the wood grain. Paint from one side of the room to the other. Once the top section is complete, repeat the process on the bottom section of the skirting board. Then, fill in the middle.
For an effortless look, we recommend using Dulux satinwood paint in white. This excellent white satin paint features a hardwearing and dirt-resistant formulation, so your clients’ skirting boards will stay looking great.
We recommend using two coats of paint for skirting boards to ensure greater protection. Once the first coat is dry, lightly sand the skirting boards with fine sandpaper before applying a second coat.
Aftercare for newly painted skirting boards involves keeping them as clean as possible. It’s recommended to use a combination of wet and dry techniques. Skirting boards can be kept clean using the following utensils:
A paintbrush
A vacuum
A skirting mop
Using a small, dry paintbrush is an efficient way to remove dust from skirting boards. A thin paintbrush can access any grooves in the skirting boards to ensure they become completely dust-free.
A vacuum is a great tool when it comes to getting rid of dust build-up. Skirting boards should be vacuumed every few weeks to keep them looking spick and span.
A skirting board mop has a long handle and a cleaning head designed to access the grooves of skirting boards – ideal for keeping them nice and clean.
Our huge range ofOur huge range of skirting board products has everything you need to give the home a brand-new look. Browse now and get ready for your next decorating project with Dulux Decorator Centre.
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