Wood or walls first?

[ailie]

Emulsion the walls then paint the skirtings OR the other way around?

[craft1948]

gloss first...then emulsion

[carrot99]

look at you giving building advice - you'll be whipping out a trowel and getting plastered next!!!

[buildersmate]

No, emulsion first then glosswork.
It is very difficult to get a decent line along the edge with the larger brushes used with emulsion.
Also gloss paint sticks to emulsion but emulsion won't stick to previously glossed surfaces.

[ailie]

aaaargh!

[buildersmate]

Arrgh means what? - you've already painted the skirting boards? - it's not a major disaster.

[ailie]

Yeh I know, frustration was just cos of the conflicting info. Your explanation is good mate so will go with that thanx

[buildersmate]

Yes, I tear my hair out at some of the 'advice' offered on this site sometimes. I'm not claiming to be always correct, but I try and present the reasons behind my statements.

[theshedman]

Hi ailie, as buildersmate says always the emulsion first then the undercoat finally the gloss. Also however hard you tried you will always get spots of emulsion on the skirtings which would mean doing them again. Another thing is it will always look better doing it this way around.

Good luck with it.

[heathfield]

Surely, by painting the gloss first, any splash or overlap from later emulsion can be wiped off immediately, leaving the gloss in pristine nick. But if you do the emulsion first, you'll never be able to remove any later gloss splashes or overlap from it. That's the way I've always done it, and often been glad I did.

[ailie]

Right boys, decision made.
For the good reasons mentioned AND because I don't want the job to drag on, it will be emulsion first which will dry in the morning & I can close the door in the evening to leave the afternoon glossing to dry.
Also because I have been looking at a coloured emulsioned top edge on the skirtings for years as the previous painter must have rolled down the wall & over the top of the skirting.
Thanks all, now what colour do you think???!!!! answers on a SAE!

[heathfield]

(Gloss first, I meant).

[buildersmate]

Fair enough, H, we all have our different ways. The way I do it invariably involves the use of a roller on the walls (but not that close to the clean edges of the skirting). As mentioned, that always means spots of emulsion. If you reckon you can wipe these off quickly, that's a good technique.

[fbg40]

Hi Ailie
I'm with buildersmate - emulsion first then gloss. Having been decorating for "umpteen" years, following my dear old Dad, I,ve always followed this method.
HTH
FBG40

[theshedman]

Hi all, I was in the decorating business for a number of years and can honestly say I never came across a professional that glossed first and I have worked with some good ones. As I said earlier it has to be buildersmate's way for me. Gloss is known as a finishing coat so it should be used as one, ie to finish the job. Saying that if you find it easier to do it the other way round then carry on doing it.

[phizzy]

yes emulsion then gloss - the only time you gloss first is when 'paperhanging' - bet you've done it now anyhow.

[ailie]

Yep, all done phiz but thanx anyway.
I had no idea how interested all there guys would be!!!!!!
I'll not be stuck for interesting conversation ever again...I'll just throw this in!!!!

[craft1948]

I will now sack my brilliant decorator who does gloss first and then emulsion..........