Redecorating- how to tackle dark painted skirting and picture rails?

[JoannaRose91]

My partner and I have not long moved into a lovely 1930s semi. The previous owners have painted the molded skirting and picture rails in three of the largest rooms a very dark navy. We would like to paint them white!

This is looking like a mammoth task, and just looking for advice to best tackle it…
At the moment I’ve chosen part of a door frame to try out the old paint stripper and sanding method…. This patch alone has taken a long time and I am concerned how to tackle the skirting without having to pull up and potentially ruin the carpet. Given the dark colour it will need a lot of sanding right down to the bottom so not sure how to tackle that?
Would a light sanding suffice and 2 coats of white paint too?

Am I right in assuming the fact these are moulded make it a little more tricky? Maybe even best to just buy new? (Shame though, I’m fairly sure they are original!)

If you haven’t guessed, I am an absolute novice- any advice would be amazing. I hear a lot about heat guns but a bit reluctant to use these…but if that is the best way I suppose I can give it a go!

TIA

 

[ktuludays]

Light sand, a coat of primer or undercoat then top coat