Skirting Board/Architrave - Can I paint over this fake wood material?

IslandLife

Dear MSE Forumites,

I'd like your advice on whether I can paint over the existing MDF skirting boards and architraves?

If so, would they require sanding and priming before painting? Or would you advise replacing them all and starting again?


Thanks

UnsureAboutthis

Hello. It looks like laminate and if this is firmly stuck on, yes you can.
However, you'll need to use a paint like Zinsser. wrough  sand the laminate, cover in Zinsser
This
https://www.screwfix.com/p/zinsser-bulls-eye-1-2-3-2-5ltr-white-matt-stain-block-interior-exterior-multi-surface-primer/10136?tc=IC3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22605979379&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPyJTvpC4L6X7RyC0JfW62Lug&gclid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J5r1goVCPFPqCEuP6l64arOBib0AOmI2zQ7FMZbRliHKWn2G4An4kgaAsU5EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#product_additional_details_container

and use matt paint.

I did it for one our children who recently bought a btl flat - it worked for us.   (I'm not sure if you can use gloss paint over Zinsser  Bulls Eye but I'm sure the link will tell you.

you can get smaller can's

WIAWSNB

I agree with UAT. It looks as tho' it has a plastic 'foil' covering which gives it its colour and wood grain. These are usually not good at accepting a paint coat as it's 'shiny' and 'waxy', and normal paints will struggle to adhere to it.
So, yes, clean it up thoroughly, and use a multi surface primer such as the BullsEye 123 mentioned (not sure if there is a better stuff for this specific task?), and then it should be good to accept any paint you like, water or oil based, matt, silk, or gloss - your preference. (Most folk go silk on skirtings, but gloss can look good too, depending on decor.)
Alternatively, there are specialist 'all surface' paints such as Zinsser AllCoat which can be applied directly.
Hopefully others with actual experience of this type of surface can suggest their preferred coatings.

IslandLife

Thank you both, I am going to give this a try in one of the small rooms and see how it looks. It'd be much simpler if I could just use one paint like the Zinsser type that's suggested.

A bit has scratched off here, and you can see what's underneath, does that change anything in terms of what to use?WIAWSNB said:

I agree with UAT. It looks as tho' it has a plastic 'foil' covering which gives it its colour and wood grain. These are usually not good at accepting a paint coat as it's 'shiny' and 'waxy', and normal paints will struggle to adhere to it.
So, yes, clean it up thoroughly, and use a multi surface primer such as the BullsEye 123 mentioned (not sure if there is a better stuff for this specific task?), and then it should be good to accept any paint you like, water or oil based, matt, silk, or gloss - your preference. (Most folk go silk on skirtings, but gloss can look good too, depending on decor.)
Alternatively, there are specialist 'all surface' paints such as Zinsser AllCoat which can be applied directly.
Hopefully others with actual experience of this type of surface can suggest their preferred coatings.

UnsureAboutthis said:

Hello. It looks like laminate and if this is firmly stuck on, yes you can.
However, you'll need to use a paint like Zinsser. wrough  sand the laminate, cover in Zinsser
This
https://www.screwfix.com/p/zinsser-bulls-eye-1-2-3-2-5ltr-white-matt-stain-block-interior-exterior-multi-surface-primer/10136?tc=IC3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22605979379&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPyJTvpC4L6X7RyC0JfW62Lug&gclid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J5r1goVCPFPqCEuP6l64arOBib0AOmI2zQ7FMZbRliHKWn2G4An4kgaAsU5EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#product_additional_details_container

and use matt paint.

I did it for one our children who recently bought a btl flat - it worked for us.   (I'm not sure if you can use gloss paint over Zinsser  Bulls Eye but I'm sure the link will tell you.

you can get smaller can's

UnsureAboutthis

Fill in the small area then Zinsser bullseye.   You will need to paint over it and if you use a white top coat of matt pain, this coat should only take you a fraction of the time when compared with the pre and zinnser coat - its worth doing

Slinky

Working with what you've got will be way easier than removing the skirtings and replacing. It's guaranteed that removing the skirtings will take a load of plaster with it, and then your job really expands.

WIAWSNB

Once you 'Bullseye' - prime - the surface, you can apply any paint to it, water or solvent based, any level of matt or gloss.
Most folk tend to go 'satin', but it's a personal choice (gloss is making a comeback).
Or, use an all-in-one. Do a Google - there are various options.
The worn edges in your pic won't be a problem for the actual paint, in fact they'll likely adhere better to these exposed bits! But, any roughness will show through the paint finish, as it would in any situation.
So I'd go over it all gently with, say, 120 grit paper, and get it smooth first.