Nail for skirting

[Lynad]

What type and size of nail do I use for skirting board.

[Clanad]

Here in the U.S., we call the moulding you're attaching mop board... it's the trim board that finishes the bottom of the wall where it joins the flooring, no? If the wall to which it will be nailed is drywall then the nails will be finishing nails and probable 6d in size. The "d" is called "penny" here. Here's a good description and picture of what I'm trying to describe: http://www.sizes.com/tools/nails_finish.htm ...
Drive it so that only about 1/4 inch remains... don't drive it with the hammer all the way in. You'll notice a small "dimple" on the head of the nail. This is to hold the nail setter or punch, which is a tool about 4 or 5 inches long with a point on one end that fits into the dimple and a head to be struck with your hammer on the other. Finish driving the nail to just below the surface of the moulding. I'd drive them about every 10 to 12 inches apart and drive them near the bottom of the board, not the top so as to nail into the base plate behind the drywall... The small hole can then be filled with a wood putty matching the color of the board. All the items are available from any good DIY store. On larger jobs, such as remodeling or new construction an air driven nail gun is used for efficiency... the nails are in a coil fitted inside the gun...

[codger66]

That's good advice, but here in the UK were a bit more advanced than that, we use no more nails or similar product, it's brill.

[Lynad]

Thanks to the both of you for your quick replies. I will try the nails tomorrow. I did use No More Nails by Unibond and applied it exactly as I'd seen a repair guy do it in another room in my house. But when I held it in place for about 3 minutes and let go it started to come away, so I held it again for another 5 minutes and it still wouldn't 'grab'. Did I do something wrong? The wall was fairly dust free but I didn't treat it with any PVA or anything.

[Whickerman]

I've used 'no more nails' in several rooms with no issues - it's great. Maybe you used too much/not enough...?

[mrpeter]

If the wall is not true I.e straight then no nails will not do the job. I always prefer to use screws and wall plugs in this case.

[Lynad]

Thanks everyone. I've managed to fix it now. I used the No More Nails and then nailed the skirting to the wall and filled in with Painter's Mate. Should do the trick and hold it in place while the glue sets.