The Best Paint to Use for Skirting Boards

If your skirting boards are looking shabby and worn, they can become a real eyesore in a room. Or perhaps you’ve just redecorated, and the skirting boards are the final touch – you want them to look great.

First, it’s important to check for signs of whether they actually need replacing. If they’re heavily cracked or chipped, have brown patches, or there are gaps between them and the walls, then it’s likely you’ll need to replace them (and check for rot if you have brown patches).

Sometimes though, all they need is a lick of paint to transform the entire room’s appearance.

But hold on… before you go rushing off with any old pot of paint and paintbrush, you need to ensure you have the best paint for skirting boards. Remember that their job isn’t only to look aesthetically pleasing, but also to withstand bumps from furniture and shoes, and protect the walls from damage.

Choosing the right paint will ensure your skirting boards look great for longer, saving you time and money in the long run. Oil-based or water-based? What about drying times? How can we keep them looking good? Here, we answer all your questions so that you can get painting with confidence.

Water-Based vs Oil-Based Paint

The biggest question to get answered here is whether you need a water-based paint or an oil-based paint for your skirting boards. Here, I sum up each of them:

Water-Based Paint

• Dries quicker, usually around 1-2 hours
• Low odour with fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
• Easier to clean – all you need is soap and water
• Colour lasts longer and is less prone to yellowing
• Less durable than oil-based paint

Oil-Based Paint

• More durable that water-based – stands up better to wear and tear
• Takes longer to dry, around 6-8 hours
• Stronger odour and higher VOCs
• You’ll need solvents such as white spirit or paint thinner to clean it
• More prone to yellowing over time

From this standpoint, most people would choose water-based paint. It dries quicker, is easy to clean, the colour lasts, and it las low odours. You can use water-based paint for skirting boards and get a good finish with it.

However, oil-based paint is actually much better for skirting boards. Skirting boards take quite a bashing in general, so choosing a paint for durability is ideal, and can easily be repainted if yellowing does occur.

Choosing a Finish – Satin, Gloss, or Matt?

We’ve got our base, now we need to choose the right finish. A lot of this will come down to personal preference, and how the rest of the room is decorated. Here’s an overview on each to help you choose:

Gloss Finish

If you want a high shine and polished look, go with a gloss paint. They set tightly on a surface though, so bear this is mind when opting for it – if you have a super smooth surface, the paint will be super smooth; if the surface is grainy or has imperfections, gloss paint will accentuate it.

Despite its glass-like appearance, a gloss finish is hard-wearing, and super easy to clean.

Satin Finish

Satin is the middle-ground in paint – it’s in between a matt finish and a gloss finish, with a slight sheen to it. Satin paint is also durable and easy to clean, and is a very popular choice for skirting boards in most modern interiors.

Matt Finish

If you don’t like the glossy look and want something softer and subtler, then a matt finish could be a better choice. It’s non-reflective, and has a flat depth to it. A matt paint is a good option if you’re looking to minimise the appearance of imperfections in the skirting board.

Typically, a matt paint isn’t quite as durable as a satin or gloss, but it will still provide adequate protection for your skirting boards.

Specialist Skirting Board Paints

Paints are available that are specifically designed for hardwearing areas like skirting boards, with durability in mind.

Leyland Hardwearing Acrylic Eggshell is the perfect example – a high-quality paint designed to stand up to the demands of skirting boards, offering some light reflection while also masking skirting board blemishes.

Preparation Before Painting

Now you have your paint, there’s a bit of prep work to be done before you get painting, to get that professional skirting board finish.

Cleaning and Sanding

Cleaning and sanding is the golden rule to painting sanding boards – skip this step, and you will be left with a bobbly, uneven finish that’ll soon start flaking and peeling.

First, wipe down the surfaces of the skirting boards with a sugar soap solution and a sponge, removing any dirt, dust and grime. Get right in those crevices and corners! Make sure it’s all dry again before you move onto sanding.

For sanding down, you’ll need some fine-grit sandpaper (around 120 grit) to lightly sand the surface of the skirting boards, working a little harder at any uneven areas.

Sanding does two things: first, it leaves a nice even surface to paint on and finish; and second, it gives a more adhesive surface for the paint. If you’re working with bare wood, you may need to sand it more thoroughly to remove rough spots and uneven areas.

Applying Primer and Undercoat

After cleaning and sanding your skirting boards, it’s time to apply primer and undercoat. All the best DIYers and professionals insist on this step, as it ensures the surface is a perfect for paint adhesion and looks professional. Here’s what you should do step-by-step:

1. Mask off the area: Using painter’s tape will protect your walls and floors while you prime and paint, and also make it much easier for you to get a neat edge (freehand isn’t easy!).

2. Apply primer: Using a primer specifically designed for wood surfaces, apply a thin, even coat with a paintbrush or small roller. Check the drying time on the label, and always ensure you let it dry fully before moving on.

3. Lightly sand the primer: Once the primer is completely dry, lightly sand the surface again with your fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth finish for the undercoat.

4. Apply an undercoat: Choose an undercoat compatible with your chosen paint, and apply a thin, even layer, again with a paintbrush or small roller. Allow this undercoat to fully dry for the recommended time.

Painting Techniques and Tips

Using Brushes and Rollers

You can paint skirting boards with brushes, rollers or spray paint, though spray paint doesn’t give you much accuracy and requires a lot of set-up – so I always opt for the traditional paint brush or roller.

You’ll need the right-sized brush that works well for your skirting boards, which will typically be a 1- to 2-inch brush. For rollers, go for a mini roller. The right size is important, as it helps you control your painting better for precision.

How To Get a Smooth Finish

With the right paint to hand and plenty of preparation including painter’s tape to line those edges, you’re off to a very good start in achieving a professional finish on your skirting boards.

When it comes to painting, work in sections. That means painting lengths of around half a meter at a time. This ensures perfect coverage and reduced lines, rather than going back and forth in areas and ending up with patches.

You’ll need a couple of coats of paint for your skirting board. Don’t rush this process – you’ll need to ensure your first coat is completely dry first. Before you apply the second coat, lightly sand your first (completely dry) coat with fine-grit sandpaper. This will again remove any imperfections, and create a slightly adhesive surface for the second coat.

How To Maintain Your Skirting Boards

Following the steps so far, I have no doubt that you’ve done a great job of painting your skirting boards! To keep them looking this great for long, here’s how to care for them.

Manage Wear and Tear

Unless the room is hardly ever used, it’s inevitable that your skirting boards will face some scuffs, scratches, and scrapes along the way.

Your choice in paint will certainly contribute to how well your skirting boards fare – we saw how oil-based paints and specialist hardwearing paints will protect them from damage.

If you do notice any chipping or damage, you can easily fix it by simply sanding down and repainting with a fresh coat (keep a note of the paint you used, or keep hold of any left over for these occasions!). Doing this will keep your skirting boards in tip-top condition, and protect them for longer.

Clean Skirting Boards Regularly

Looking after your skirting boards regularly and correctly can become habitual, plus it gives you the opportunity to pick up on any damage to the surfaces:

1. Dusting: Use a soft, dry cloth or a duster to gently remove any dust and dirt from the skirting boards. You should do this ideally once a week to prevent build-up.

2. Vacuuming: Your vacuum’s brush attachment will be your best friend at getting into those hard-to-reach crevices and corners.

3. Wiping down: Every now and then, treat your skirting boards to a proper clean with a damp cloth and mild cleaning solution. Don’t use abrasive products, and be careful not to soak your skirting boards – you don’t want to end up with water damage, so ensure they’re nice and dry too.

Keeping your skirting boards clean and protected will mean they will last for years and look great, all while protecting your walls.

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