Any advice for painting skirts above carpet?

milliebear00001

I need to paint the skirting in my bedroom with satin, but have carpet in there. Any advice as to what to do to avoid covering the carpet with paint? I was thinking of a piece of cardboard and pressing down on the carpet, but any better ideas welcome.

diceydeb

Theres no way round it you will have to pull back the carpet and make sure its bone dry before you drop it back or all your hard work will be ruined! I did my stairs without lifting the carpet and used the cardboard trick ,it took me ages and I have got a very steady hand but there are traces of white gloss here n there. Good luck.

shegirl

I used masking tape once and wouldn't again! I now either pull the carpet back or paint everything before laying carpet.

Now if only I could master not getting any wall paint on the ceiling at all....:o

27col

You can buy lengths of plastic or maybe metal that look like venetian blind slats. You jam them between the edge of the carpet and the skirting board. Quite often there is a small gap below the skirting and this makes it even easier. I bought mine many years ago but I would not be surprised if they were still available. Not as good as actually pulling the carpet back, obviously.

Laz123

I've always used a plastic edger which you slide between the wood and carpet, pressing down at an angle. Paint does get on the edger so you have to wipe the plastic each time with a white spirit soaked cloth. The edger I have has a central handle, with a triangle at one end and flat edge at the other. For the life of me I can't recall it's proper name but an old decorator hand once told me they used to call it a George.

ormus

assuming youre painting white on white, the trick is not to paint the lowest few mm.
and dont load the brush too much either.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Personally, I wouldn't bother painting skirts. I'd wear jeans instead.




Or roll the carpet back. Nothing worse than the moment you realise your carpet has a line of smudged gloss on the part most visible.

McKneff

Take the edge of the carpet up and tuck it under itself, saves rolling it back into the room.

Dont be tempted to put the carpet back for 24 hours.

Barneysmom

I use these carpet shields, there's enough to do a long run, and you just wash them after use so they are ready for next time.

http://www.diy.com/nav/decor/decorating-sundries/treatments-cleaners-protection/protective_covers___clothing/Stanley-Carpet-Shield-9254621

Edwardia

Plastic and then the cardboard backing for A4 lined notepads pushed under skirting.

Hintza

I've just done it by saving up and then cutting plastic 4 pint milk containers into strips which I slide under the skirting board.

It worke very well but make sure you leave them in place for a good few days. Once you pull them out there will be a slight edge but just run a scraper down from above and that takes it off.