Painting skirting boards how many coats

Knots are a different colour and texture from the background wood and absorb wood finishes differently. Painting over knots without preparing them first will mean that the knots are visible through the paint, no matter how many coats you apply.

Keep in mind that some woods have more knots than others. For example, pine can be especially grainy and has knots-a-plenty. MDF skirting boards , for example, are knot-free, so if yours are made from MDF, you can skip this step. One thing you might be concerned about when painting your skirting boards is how to do it without getting paint all over your carpet or wood floor. We recommend applying a roll of self-adhesive plastic floor protector as close to the board as possible to protect your flooring.

Wait until the primer is completely dry before painting. We can take away all the hassle of the preparation stage as all of our skirting boards come fully finished and are twice-primed!

So far, you've moved all the furniture, sanded the skirting boards, and protected walls and floors. Dip your brush about halfway into the paint and brush it against the inside of the tin to remove any excess paint. Ideally, you want your brush to be fairly loaded with paint, but only on one side.

Repeat the process, and paint the bottom. Remember to be very diligent as you don't want paint-spots on your floor. Slide your piece of card or plastic protector along as you go. Check for drips and spills using a damp cloth water based paint — use water, oil-based paint — use white spirit or turpentine to wipe off. Slowly move along the skirting, taking your time and always being mindful of spills and drips.

Allow the paint to dry completely then use a fine grade sandpaper to lightly go over the skirting before you start on the second coat. Look for any drips or bumps, being sure to sand them right down.

Remember to wipe over the skirting with a damp cloth after sanding to remove the fine dust which will stop the next coat adhering and spoil the finish. For further coats repeat the same process. Note that several thin coats provide a better finish and offer better protection than one or two thick ones. Have a question?

Wipe any dust or grime away from the skirting boards with the sugar soup and wait for it to dry. You may want to lay down some dust sheeting on the floor near the skirting board to protect the floor and run the painter tape across the top of the skirting to protect your walls. Top tip: You may have a carpet and have extra concern for dripping gloss all over it. Simply tape dust sheeting to the floor, so you do not accidentally drag the sheeting away from the wall.

Applying the primer. The primer will need to be carefully stirred before use and should be touch dry in 1 hour and recoated in 6 hours if necessary. Applying the paint. You should start at the top of the skirting board, ensuring the brush is not overloaded with the Crown Paints Liquid Gloss.