tidying up skirting boards

[markpickering]

Anyone got any tips on cleaning up old tatty skirtings?

Just moved into a new place and the existing skirtings are a bit of a mess. many coats of paint, lumps, plaster, old telephone cable etc.

i was hoping to maybe get them stripped back to the bare wood and repaint but not sure how big a job this is or if there are any other tips for making them at least presentable

thanks

 

[xerxes]

If they're in a poor state, consider removing them to restore or replace them. It's much easier, if you have a lot to do, to work on a skirting board on the bench than while you're crawling around on your knees. Provided you're confident you've got the skills to replace them properly, you'll get a much better finish in the long term doing it like this.

 

[Bilioustrumpstaine]

Unless they are really old and of decorative interest I would bin them and fit new.