Matt
How to sand skirting boards
Sanding your skirting boards is an important process and should not be overlooked or skipped. Everyone has their own tips, reasons, or quirks for sanding these features but here we provide you with some guidance.
From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/trance-elbow/5187710321/
Why bother?
Simply, sanding is necessary to remove old paint and remove any of the impurities on the feature. Essentially the skirting board is stripped back so you are able to start from scratch.
In addition to the above, sanding produces a smoother surface and allows for anything to undertake and adhere much more easily. Whilst it can be a pesky job, it does actually save time, effort and money in the long run.
Things to consider.
Before you even start the job make sure you are ready for it.
1) Prepare your room by removing any furniture, tables or chairs etc. This is for two reasons.
* You need to at least make the perimeter of the room obstacle free so there is easy access to move around.
* The job involves a lot of dust so your objects are likely to get coated if not covered or removed.
2) Due to the dust, you need to take preventative measures yourself.
* Wear suitable eye protection and a dust mask.
* Ensure the area and room you are working in is well ventilated.
How to do it.
There are a number of different methods you can use to carry out this job. This is often dependant on the overall size and length of the skirting board, aswell as how much you are willing to spend on equipment.
* Sand paper.
Simple sand paper can be purchased from most DIY shops. It is very rough in texture (a bit like the edge of a match box – though it won’t catch fire!) and so makes it perfect for this job. Depending on the individual skirting board, you might find this a very energy sapping job as you can need to scrub hard to achieve the desired results.
* Electric sanders.
These are far more effective but do involve spending money. These devices also take the effort out of sanding as they simply appear to just glide along.
Sand the skirting board until you get a smooth finish. A good test is to run your fingers along the surface and check to see if there are any rough edges that still exist or which you might have missed. Bear in mind that if you have quite bespoke and elegant skirting, this process can take longer.
Once complete, allow the dust to settle from the air and clear this away. Wipe down your skirting board to remove excess dust also. After this, your skirting board should be ready to undercoat or proceed onwards.
The actual process is quite simple as you will probably agree. Remember these little pointers which should also make the job much easier.
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