Tips for painting skirting board

loulou41

Please does anybody have some tips to paint skirting board without getting paint on the carpet. Will be using masking tape on the carpet but not sure whether masking tape can be used on the wall paper. Will it be worth buying special low tack tape like frog tape? Thanks

gardner1

Get the yellow frog tape and make sure you dampen it prior to painting to activate the paint guard,it's £5 a roll in homebase which is the cheapest I've seen it
I went through 5 rolls of it as we decorated entire house .....well worth the £25

Grenage

loulou41 wrote: »

Please does anybody have some tips to paint skirting board without getting paint on the carpet. Will be using masking tape on the carpet but not sure whether masking tape can be used on the wall paper. Will it be worth buying special low tack tape like frog tape? Thanks

I pull the carpets up.

Silvertabby

Another vote for frog tape - you need to tuck it down the edge of the carpet with a ruler or similar.

LandyAndy

Grenage wrote: »

I pull the carpets up.

So do I. I tend to do one wall at a time because you don't lose the position of the carpet at all. Not the quickest way to do it but I'm only DiYing and so not meeting any sort of timescale.

I can, however, vouch for the effectiveness of Frog tape when masking off a wooden floor to paint skirting.

mr_fishbulb

I don't mast at the top of the skirting board, but for where it meets the carpet I use normal masking tape and a paint scraper to push it down the side of the carpet.

The guy in this video does it from 1min 19sec into it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pU_5BFiShs

thebigstillmeister

We always use Frog Tape, we taped the carpets and I was convinced they'd be covered in paint when we removed the tape, but spotless,

frankie

Another vote for Frog Tape. I use the green stuff and ease under the skirting with a wide scraper. I carefully take it up with care and have a sharp stanley blade to ease the dried paint where it sticks.

AmyHunt

I've not actually heard of frog tape but I normally just masking tape them, just lightly tap the masking tape before placing it - removes some of the tack. I've never had a problem with it pulling up the paint. When I haven't had any, I just use a very small brush for corners.

If frog tape is so cheap it's probably best to get the 'proper' stuff to do the job.

PhilE

As above with the frog tape, also use a water based paint as it is easier to deal with should any get on the carpets.

I will be using Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell for my skirting boards. Checked with Dulux regarding painting over old oil based paint, they said it's fine.

Check for lead paint if you have a 1960's or older house, which is something I'm dealing with at the moment.

Will2208

I agree with Mr Fishbulb's advice, use masking tape and tuck it between the carpet and skirting with a paint scraper. I've done most of skirting in my home like this and as long as you take your time and make sure the carpet isn't visible where it meets the skirting you'll be fine.