Glossing - tell me how to make it look good.

[Gentleness]

Treat me like an idiot - I can't understand why my skirting boards look so clumsily painted and I clearly need help! Ok, the ones I've done so far have about 14 coats of paint on already so it may be that, but I really don't want my new skirtings and door-jamb to look that bad.

So - start to finish! Educate me please!

Preparation (strip or sand flat, apply undercoat - acrylic white will do indoors - lightly sand smooth. Clean off all dust)

And practice.

Apply thinly. If the paint is too thick, thin it a bit. Two thin coats are better than one thick.

And practice.

Hire a decorator.

Your helping the economy by doing so.

What kind of brush are you using? For gloss you get a better finish with a synthetic fine-haired brush. You can get these small (1/4 inch I think) brushes that are round and slightly pointed which are GREAT for cutting in a neat line at the top edge of the skirt etc. I was skeptical at first that a round-section brush would give a neater line than a flat brush but I find they are so much easier to control. I use a 1.5 inch flat brush for covering the rest.

Right - preparation sort of ok though obviously I could have sanded a LOT more on the old skirtings.

Thin layer - THAT is new info! It really helped with today's painting thanks!

The round brush is a great idea. I could really see how it would have helped today. Definitely going to get one of those for the next jobs.

Fluffy - wish we had the £££ to do that - so much more glosswork to do...

And don't use non drip gloss. You can see the brush marks once it has dried. No professional decorator will touch the stuff.

Ok - that is really useful too. I splashed out today on Dulux Light&Space quickdrying satinwood and it does seem quite a lot better than the Homebase own non-drip I was using on the old skirtings. Bah!

I'm a convert to rollers, (for flat surfaces) you get a much more thin, even layer of paint. The "tipping" with the ends of a brush is genius. Even I have managed it.

My best tip would be DONT USE GLOSS!

Use Satinwood or Eggshell.

What Jacaqueen. Satinwood or eggshell look far more chic, especially if you're going for that Parisian apartment look. They don't show brushstrokes.

I am very sad because you can't get either of these paint finishes in Australia.

I had an old house done with Eggshell last year, I don't like it. It looks like undercoat. Also holds the dirt. I'd go for Satinwood next time.

BTW non-drip does tend to go on too thick. In a very few cases (e.g. painting plastic pipes) that's OK. On woodwork, not.