How to deal with these skirting boards?

[user1333796]

We live in a rental, and our skirting boards and bannisters are thick with layers of old, yellowed gloss that is all cracked and chips off and collects dust. The gloss hadn't been redone when we moved in 4 years ago. I think the landlady is responsible, though I haven't checked out tenancy. We need to repaint the halls and main rooms before our next house inspection (kids scribbles and muck) but feel we can't leave the skirting boards any longer.

We don't want to request the landlady to have it done professionally as we are saving for a deposit, and the rent is low. We are considering offering to buy this house in about 6 months, so also don't want to spend money on improvements.

If it was my house I'd remove the skirting board and bannister and have them professionally stripped or replace where not original. I don't want to use a paint stripper at home because of potential lead paint fumes. I suppose sanding is an option but there is an old phone cable under layers of gloss that leads to the bannister and I'm not sure what to do about that.

Should we just fill the cracks somehow and put yet more gloss over for now? Can you put eggshell on top of gloss?

I'd chip the old caulk off with a stanley knife or old screwdriver, remove the cable holders and move it out of the way, sand it down, use filler where it goes round the corner etc and paint. I've heard dulux diamond eggshell is much better then gloss, dried quicker and doesn't yellow. Then re-caulk at the top.

Thank you @Cool is the caulk the layer of paint attached to the wall? I see now that trying to chip that off would be more effective than trying to sand it off. I'd heard that about egg shell too, I hope it adheres to gloss ok. I'll give it a go, cheers.

Paint stripper is better than sanding when there is the possibility of lead based paint having being used. Lead particles which could be breathed in are what is dangerous. Paint stripper or a heat gun would do, though both stink.

Honestly - it's not your problem, just paint the walls. Unless marker pens or biro have been used, you can probably clean the marks off. Otherwise use a stain block paint or primer to go over the marks before painting with emulsion or they'll show through. Don't use the stuff in spray cans: it gets everywhere.

Caulk is like silicone. Gives a rounded smooth finish on edges and moves with the house as you walk past etc etc. Relatively easy to do yourself, but you can get edging tools to help neaten it up

Do what Cool said but see if you can borrow a power sander, Ideally a larger one for the main skirting run and a small shaped one for the top. Definitely scrape or chip off the caulk or crusted pain. There are scraper tools you can use and then sand the shaped part the sander can't by hand. It will never be ideal but a lot better than what it is now.

I would suggest using oil based undercoat and satinwood as is a harder finish. I found water based a,though quicker to dry chipped really easily and with kids it is a problem

Just wash the walls and use a magic eraser to get any marks off. Leave the skirting. It's your landlady's responsibility, not yours and you would expect to repaint after having such long term tenants.

Two options. Caulk is a life saver and will fill in these cracks and make it appear seamless and smooth. Pipe on a thin layer and smooth over with a wet finger.

Get a blow torch, or the non fire, heat gun equivalent and strip the paint off. (more work, better result)

You cant paint eggshell over gloss, it will flake off with the slightest knock. You'll need to sand, as others have said.

Horrible job, you have my sympathies OP but well worth the effort.

If there's a risk of lead based paint you should not use an electric sander.

You can use a primer like Zinsser in order to change from oil based to water based paint.

You can buy lead testing kits which is the first thing I would be doing.

If it were my house I would invest in skirting over skirting, just putting it out there that there is such a product.

The cheaper option is sand, fill and then just as wow suggested Zinsser primer (fantastic product) then paint on top.

You can get those hollow skirting boards that just fit over the old ones. If that's an easier option.

Xpost.