DIY novice - paint advice please

Skint_yet_Again

I am sorry if this is a stupid question, or has been asked before as I couldn't find anything.

I have several unopened tins of silk emulsion which were free.

Is it possible to use this to paint the skirting boards in my spare room ? They were last painted approx. 17 years ago I think it was with "eggshell" paint (not gloss)

Many thanks for any advice.

good_advice

Hello skint. While it is possible to paint with any paint my good advice is to use your silk emulsion on the walls and gloss paint on the skirting boards.

slipthru

Yes agree with the above post stick to gloss or satin for woodwork and matt or silk emulsion for walls.

Furts

My response is different. Yes it can be done - I have done this in the past when colour keying rooms. There are downsides - the paint is not as durable as undercoat and gloss, so it can be chipped when knocked with a vacuum cleaner, furniture etc. Also, if condensation, damp or mould are an issue, (skirting can be prone to this) then again it is not as good. Plus the paint does not cover/obliterate like undercoat and gloss.

ahrimaniac

Better to stick with gloss.

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks for all the advice.

Last time I used white gloss it smelt so bad I couldn't sleep in the room for a week ! However I will invest in some satin wood paint

Thanks again

arbrighton

You can get either water based or solvent based paints for wood work- either as gloss or as satin wood. So you might want to try a water based (will say quick drying) paint this time.

Ours has usually dried and the odour more or less gone in a day or two. Did you have windows etc open?

McKneff

Satinwood is a much nicer finish.


and remember, preparation, preparation, preparation arethe key words.

Skint_yet_Again

arbrighton wrote: »

Ours has usually dried and the odour more or less gone in a day or two. Did you have windows etc open?

Windows open - electric fan on - it was so bad my chest was aching and I don't usually suffer with asthma or anything. I tried chopped onions halves, candles and buckets of water - all remedies suggested lol but in the end I slept downstairs !

I complained to the shop and got a refund.

It was one-coat gloss. One consulation - at least it has stayed white and not yellowed

Thanks McKneff I will be down on my hands and knees ... scrubbing and sanding