Helpful video reference. The video above is "How to paint a skirting board | Professional decorator show you how to paint your skirting boards!" from Harrisbrushes. It is a practical walk-through of the technique, worth watching for the hand movement rather than just reading about it.
Wash and sand
Wipe the woodwork with a degreaser or sugar soap to remove the grime that collects at floor level, then rinse and let it dry. Rub down with fine abrasive paper so the old finish is matt and smooth.
In homes built before the 1960s, old paint may contain lead. Wet sand rather than dry sand, keep dust down and wipe up with a damp cloth.
Fill and caulk
Fill dents and nail holes with wood filler and sand flush once set. Run a thin bead of decorators' caulk along the top edge of the skirting where it meets the wall and any gaps beside the frame, and smooth it with a damp finger.
Prime where needed
Bare wood and filler need a suitable wood primer or undercoat. Patches that were already painted in good condition can go straight to topcoat once they are keyed.
Mask and brush
Use low-tack masking tape along the floor edge or lay a card or paint shield against the carpet. Load a good angled brush with a modest amount of paint and lay it on in long strokes along the length of the board.
Work in short sections of about a metre and tip off along the grain without overloading, so there are no drips or runs.
Second coat and finishing
Let the first coat dry fully as per the tin, then sand lightly and dust off before a second coat. Remove the tape while the paint is still slightly tacky, pulling it away at a low angle for a crisp edge.
What this means in Folkestone
Skirting in older Folkestone properties can be deep and ornate, particularly in the Victorian villas on the Leas and Bayle and the Georgian streets of the old town, so allow extra time for detail and several layers of existing paint. Floors in these homes are often uneven, meaning gaps behind the board need filling before you can get a clean line. Terraces in Cheriton and Morehall usually have simpler profiles that are quicker to prepare.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Painting over dust and grime so the finish peels at the edges.
- Overloading the brush and leaving runs along the bottom edge.
- Starting on skirting before ceilings and walls, so drips ruin the finished woodwork.
Quick answers
Should I paint skirting before or after the walls?
Most decorators do ceilings and walls first, then woodwork, so any splashes on the wood are covered. Some prefer woodwork first and cut in the wall afterwards, which also works.
Do I need to take the door off?
Not for the frame. The door itself is easier to paint flat on trestles, but it is not essential.
Prefer we do it?
Room painting from £325, standard trade paint and labour included. See our price guide, our interior decorating page or get a fixed quote.