Painting Woodwork
Skirting boards, door frames, window frames, and doors. Woodwork needs different paint (satinwood or gloss), different brushes, and more patience than walls. The finish is unforgiving — every drip and brush mark shows.
Water-based satinwood (Dulux or similar) is the modern standard for woodwork. Easier to use, faster drying, low odour, and yellows less than oil-based gloss.
Sand between coats with 240-grit for a glass-smooth finish. Wipe off dust with a tack cloth before the next coat.
Doors: remove the handle and latch before painting. Paint the edges first, then the panels, then the rails and stiles. This sequence avoids drips in the wrong places.
Skirting boards: use a piece of cardboard slid along the carpet edge to protect it from the brush. Much cleaner than trying to tape carpet.
Lightly sand all woodwork with 240-grit to key the surface. Wipe with a damp cloth
Fill any dents or holes with wood filler. Sand smooth when dry
Apply primer if painting bare or stained wood (not needed over existing paint in good condition)
SKIRTING: Paint along the top edge first (cutting in), then fill in the face with a 2-inch brush
DOOR FRAMES: Paint the edge visible when the door is open first, then the face
DOORS: Remove handles. Paint panels first (if panelled), then horizontal rails, then vertical stiles
Apply thin, even coats. Two thin coats beat one thick coat every time
Sand lightly between coats with 240-grit. Wipe with tack cloth. Apply final coat
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