How to paint old skirting with some gloss still on, some bare wood?

I am due to do some painting and is a old house. The skirting is old and has been glossed in the past but the wood is showing through. I would estimate 60% old gloss and 40% wood. I know how to paint skirting over gloss or wood but unsure whether I can just sand & primer or if I now need to get all the gloss off with sanding? I am worried that if done the standard way there will be a visible ridge where it changes from gloss to wood. Many Thanks in advance.

35 Answers

The best way to complete this task without seeing the undulations in the finished paint work will be to sand the original skirting, to the point where it's completely smooth to the touch. Once you have completed this stage then use primer/undercoat prior to painting with gloss.
14th Apr 2023
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TJS Building and Maintenance
2 Reviews, 100% Positive
SAnd thoroughly and apply base coat and double top coat.
17th Apr 2023
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I would give skirting a really good sanding to provide a smooth finish and a key for new paint, then prime with water-based primer/undercoat, probably two coats and apply topcoat, with a 2nd coat if necessary.
26th Apr 2023
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Plastering
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Prepare the area. Move any furniture blocking what you want to paint and put down dust sheets to prevent paint from getting on the floor. ...
Clean the gloss. Use sugar soap and a clean sponge to wash the surface. ...
Sand. ...
Prime. ...
Paint.
15th May 2023
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Personally I wood sand down quite a bit to allow for best outcome
8th Jun 2023
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sanding old gloss and apply primer +gloss
13th Apr 2023
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After the first coat, If this is the case, you can repeat the process straight away which obviously makes the choice of water-based paint the quicker option.
25th Apr 2023
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Gloss will not take too bare wood.
Best thing to do is give the area all of it a light rub down with 120 grit sand paper
Prime the bare wood , then undercoat all of the wood including the glossed area.
If needed then undercoat the bare wood with a second undercoat, and give it another light rub down,
And finally gloss the lot ????
15th May 2023
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We would advise that you sand the old gloss off completely, prime then put coats of new gloss over the top
19th Jun 2023
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My building
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First you need to take off and leave 2 days to dry and then you will continue to do the necessary work
15th Jun 2023
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Tanners Trades
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Samd down the old gloss off the skirting and then start again as if it were fresh skirting.
Tanners Trades.
3rd Jul 2023
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TS Build&Decor
14 Reviews, 100% Positive
you should sand down the gloss so it is matt,then undercoat it, then top coat
15th May 2023
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I suggest sand down on a light grade.

Then use white spirit to clean the wood leave to Dry. Then use a white or light primer. Then paint with a new pot of gloss.
23rd May 2023
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Hi. A good sand then primer before painting would be fine.
5th Jun 2023
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As with any painted wooden surface, we can take it back to bare wood.
It depends on time and the condition of the surface (How many coats of paint has it had in the past and whether it was a good painting job / lumps / runs etc)
If we did not decide to take it back to bare wood, then we would sand out all the indentations and fill any spaces with two-part wood filler to make a nice smooth surface to apply undercoat followed by the paint of your choice - Satinwood / Eggshell / Gloss or Semi-Gloss.

3rd Jul 2023
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Maridec ltd
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Sand it all off and prime , make sure it looks solid all the way (if not one more undercoat)and then gloss it
6th Jul 2023
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Shaw Construction
0 Reviews
Hi,

My advice for this would be to give all of the skirting a good rub down with a 120 grade sandpaper if the skirting is in good condition, or 80 grade if it’s a bit worse. Once the skirting has been rubbed down good and feeling smooth all round, apply a primer coat to all skirting and then apply 2 coats of gloss. Everything will be the same colour for the finish no problem.
11th Sep 2023
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sand back or remove old gloss with heat gun or paint stripper I.E nitomors paint striper but should remove with just sanding but may take some time to achieve
20th Jun 2023
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CC Builders
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I would say i take all back down to wood and re paint with a primer under coat then go with the gloss , make sure the under coat is dry 1st before applying the gloss to the wood
18th Jul 2023
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Lam'b gardens
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I charge £50 a day for work labor and glossing normally takes 1 day and other materials are added on
15th Sep 2023
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House services and maintenance
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
Painting over a surface with a mix of old gloss paint and exposed wood can be a bit tricky, but it can be done successfully with the right preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve a smooth and even finish without visible ridges:

Materials and Tools:

Sandpaper: You'll need both coarse (80-120 grit) and fine (180-220 grit) sandpaper.
Paint Scraper: To remove any loose or peeling paint.
Wood Filler: To patch any holes or imperfections in the wood.
Primer: Choose a high-quality bonding primer suitable for both wood and glossy surfaces.
Paint: Select your desired paint finish (e.g., satin, semi-gloss, or gloss) in the color of your choice.
Paintbrushes and Rollers: Use brushes for cutting in and rollers for larger areas.
Painter's Tape: To protect adjacent surfaces.
Drop Cloths: To protect the floor and surrounding areas.
Steps:

Clean the Surface: Begin by cleaning the skirting thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, and any contaminants. Use a mild detergent and water, and rinse well. Allow it to dry completely.

Scrape and Sand: Use a paint scraper to remove any loose or peeling paint. Then, sand the entire surface with coarse sandpaper (80-120 grit) to create a smooth, even base. Focus on the glossy areas to roughen them up for better adhesion.

Fill Imperfections: If there are any holes, cracks, or imperfections in the wood, use wood filler to patch them. Allow the filler to dry, and then sand it smooth with fine sandpaper (180-220 grit).

Primer: Apply a high-quality bonding primer to the entire surface. This primer is essential for ensuring good adhesion of the paint to both the gloss and wood areas. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying time.

Paint: Once the primer is dry, you can paint the skirting. Start with the glossed areas first, applying a thin, even coat of paint. Use a brush to cut in around edges and corners, and then use a roller for larger sections. Make sure to feather the edges where the gloss meets the wood to blend them together.

Second Coat: After the first coat is dry, apply a second coat of paint. This will help ensure an even finish and good coverage.

Finish: Once the paint is completely dry, inspect the skirting for any visible ridges or imperfections. If you notice any, lightly sand them with fine sandpaper and touch up with paint as needed.

Remove Tape and Clean Up: Carefully remove any painter's tape and clean your brushes, rollers, and other tools with water or the recommended solvent for the paint.

By following these steps and ensuring that the transition between the glossed areas and the wood is properly blended, you should be able to achieve a smooth and uniform finish without visible ridges. Proper surface preparation and the use of a bonding primer are key to a successful paint job on a surface with a mix of old gloss and exposed wood.
18th Sep 2023
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Versaworks
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Hello in my opinion I would just send and prime it then it should look uniform with a top coat of gloss
Hope that helps.
12th Jul 2023
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I would sand down all of the skirting so that’s it’s bare wood & then apply a coat of primer then re gloss it, you won’t have to worry about any bumps or defects from the previous gloss that way.
17th Aug 2023
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So, First we're going to sand everything then add primer on it then paint it at the end.
26th Sep 2023
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PURE JOY DECOR
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use a electric sander to make smooth, contour sanding pads for details, you take the shine off the gloss, called keying the skirting. they use and primer/undercoat (2 in 1 paint) on top of all, they try to get close to the same opacity on the skirting ready for the top coat.
3rd Nov 2023
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AV DECORATING
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I would sand back as much as possible and give the skirtings a primer. Then you can see how damaged they are and fill as needed to smooth out the imperfections. Then once you have sanded the filler, prime those areas again then top coat with the gloss.
1st Nov 2023
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Best to give skirtings a sand first then treat the knots with knot block / primer, usually applying x2 applications of good quality gloss will leave woodwork looking bright and fresh
4th Dec 2023
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Plastopaint ltd
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Rub down with sander , fill where nescassary prime , undercoat and top ciat
16th Jan 2024
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Perfect Strokes
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You will need to remove the old layers of gloss before repainting otherwise you are correct in saying you will see the ridges where old paint surfaces are higher then the areas that were bare.

I would use a paint stripper to get the worst off first. They are good for removing one or two layers at a time. Depending how many coats have been put on over time you could repeat this a few times.

Once most of it is off, then sand to remove any stubborn paint and to get the whole surface even. (If you can feel bumps, dips etc when you have sanded it, then you will see them once painted).

Apply 1 coat of primer then two top coats and your skirting will look as good as new :)
22nd Jan 2024
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PaintedBy
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
Very simple, it requires proper sanding probably I would use 40 grit to make sure that undercoat will grip to surface.
Very important to wape the surface from dust with appropriate wipes available in DIY shops prior to undercoating plus it should be selected good quality undercoat .
6th Feb 2024
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Dab Hand
0 Reviews
I would recommend sanding then glossing
19th Feb 2024
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ATIF painter
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To paint old skirting with a mix of gloss and bare wood:

1. **Prepare the Surface:** Clean the skirting thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt, or grease. Sand the surface lightly to smooth out any rough patches and to create a better surface for the paint to adhere to.

2. **Prime the Surface:** Apply a suitable primer to the entire surface of the skirting. This will help the paint adhere evenly and provide a uniform base for the topcoat.

3. **Fill in Gaps:** If there are any gaps or holes in the skirting, fill them in with a suitable wood filler. Allow the filler to dry completely before sanding it down to ensure a smooth surface.

4. **Apply Paint:** Once the primer is dry, apply your chosen paint color evenly to the skirting using a brush or roller. Start with the areas that have bare wood, then paint over the areas with existing gloss.

5. **Multiple Coats:** Depending on the color and coverage you desire, you may need to apply multiple coats of paint. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next one.

6. **Finish:** Once you're satisfied with the coverage and finish, allow the final coat of paint to dry completely. If desired, you can apply a clear coat or varnish for added protection and durability.

7. **Clean Up:** Clean your brushes and rollers with water (if using water-based paint) or paint thinner (if using oil-based paint) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Following these steps should help you achieve a smooth and professional-looking finish on your old skirting, even with a mix of gloss and bare wood.
4th Mar 2024
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Jj painters
0 Reviews
Should sandpaper first all round then turn it in to wood with paint
11th Mar 2024
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Just prime bare wood after rubbing down skirting,then undercoat all and gloss
28th Mar 2024
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Robs Papering & Painting
2 Reviews, 100% Positive
The sanding procedure is key to success.Use a small electric sander using a light abrasive grain pad and use your fingers to ensure a smooth feel where the paint and wood meet.
Prime the complete skirting board then you are ready to apply a good quality gloss paint which may require 2 coats .
4th Apr 2024
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