How to get paint spills off skirting board

drummer_666

Hi,

I've painted a room and got some paint spilled onto the skirting boards and door frame.

I'm not planning on painting the skirting boards for a while, due to having to sand them etc. so I need to get the paint splatters off

I tried dipping a cloth in white spirit and rubbing it, but didn't work - the paint is only emulsion too...

Any ideas?

Thanks!

googler

Emulsion is water-soluble, so should come off with a damp cloth or slightly soapy damp cloth.

You'll use something to mask the areas where you can splash or spatter next time, won't you.....? Trust me, it's easier to cover stuff up in advance than clean paint off it later on.....

drummer_666

didn't cover up skirtings because these will be sanded and painted at a later date, but thought i'd get the bigger drops off before my mate moves in

hmmm well didn't work with meths n thought would wipe straight off, but I'll try rubbing with soapy damp cloth

if doesn't come off easily, he'll just have a few paint splatters lol

Leif

What is the skirting painted with? If water based, it will be delicate. I find spots of emulsion scrape off with a finger nail. I also use a metal scraper - Harris chisel edged scraper - but you really have to be careful, more like gentle pressure than scraping, as you risk gouging the skirting paint. Alternatively, try one of those kitchen dish cleaners with a slightly abrasive surface, starting on a non obvious area just in case it does more than expected.

keystone

Should just pick off. Emulsion doesn't completely cure for 30 days so it'll still be soft in the meantime.

Cheers

drummer_666

skirting board is painted with gloss - hence why i'm not finishing this room just yet, as it's a pain to get off

ok i'll have a go with the soapy damp cloth and scourer/scraper hopefully it should shift esaily - its only been there week and a half

thank you for suggestions

jcb208

Wipe a warm damp cloth over the skirting ,leave a few mins ,then use a non scratch scouring pad and hot water ,should come of quite easy if the paint has not been on to long

googler

If the skirting is gloss, the emulsion should come off with a non-abrasive damp or soapy cloth, perhaps with some help from a fingernail behind the cloth

mishelly

If it is proving tricky with the damp soapy cloth then try scratching the surface of the spill in order to let the water penetrate it a little better. I did this recently to get the emulsion off the lino floor in the bathroom and it worked a treat - i used one of those in between teeth cleaner things as that was closest to hand but anything pointy but not sharp would probably work.

drummer_666

wicked guys, i'll give it a try tonight

DVardysShadow

Emulsion paint - remove with dam cloth
Gloss paint - remove with white spirit soaked rag

In both cases use the remedy within an hour or 2. Coming on here and giving 24 hours before using the suggested remedy is leaving it a bit late.