An online community for people who love old houses.
Interior trim: New coat of paint over existing chipped paint?
I'm going to be painting all the walls and trim on the interior of my 1940s mock tudor. The existing paint job is in pretty good shape, but there are a few spots where the paint is chipped on the baseboards and wooden doors. The depression where the chip is would show through after I've put on a new coat of paint.
I've considered stripping all the wood, then repainting to get a fresh, clean look. But that seems like a lot of effort for just a few problem areas.
Is there are way to "spot strip" and get a nicely prepped surface? Or do I need to strip all the wood? What's the best technique for either approach?
I've considered stripping all the wood, then repainting to get a fresh, clean look. But that seems like a lot of effort for just a few problem areas.
Is there are way to "spot strip" and get a nicely prepped surface? Or do I need to strip all the wood? What's the best technique for either approach?
Views: 72
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Susan on -
I used a mouse sander with 80 grit paper to spot sand my chipped areas, then used 220 grit for a very light sanding and followed up with a damp paper towel. I waited a couple of days then painted all the woodwork in my bedroom. I want to strip the woodwork (everything on the second floor has been painted in two coats of paint) and reveal the beautiful douglas fir underneath, but after eleven years of restoration I still have not had the time forthis project. Maybe when I finish the siding job.
-
Permalink Reply by Lair Tienter on -
Get out your sander and some 120 grit paper. Sand the edges of the spot feathering them out until the depression and paint are smooth to the touch. No easy fix that I know of. Anyone else?
-
Permalink Reply by Joan Harding on -
The only thing that I might suggest is that after you spot sand and feather you spot paint those areas to bring the paint up even with the surrounding trim and then paint the whole thing. It seems to give a smoother finish. But really our houses are old. They will have bumps and dings. Think of them as the house's laugh lines. I do the best I can to restore things but don't obsess especially on the baseboards it will get bumped and kicked and hidden by furniture. I'd spend my time on the doors etc.
-
Permalink Reply by Phil on -
My brother-in-law is a professional painter. He told me that for limited numbers of deep chips like you describe, one of his techniques is to use spackling. He skims it over the chipped area (provided it is a flat baseboard) with a putty knife, and the putty knife allows it to be filled exactly flush with the existing paint surface. If you do that neatly, then barely any sanding is required. I should say that I have not tried this, but he tells me that it leads to a very smooth finish.
-
Permalink Reply by Glen Dettman on
-
Yes spackle the crack....sanding of old paint can be a mesh indoors as well as possible throwing lead dust everywhere!
-
Permalink Reply by Catherine Brooks on
-
Sanding lead paint is VERY dangerous unless you have a very good HEPA vacuum collecting all the dust. If you want your new paint to look great, last a lot longer if the remaining paint is just painted over, you should strip it all off. That is the best way to get the new paint to stick well. Research a safer method, infrared paint removal which is low heat and doesn't vaporize the lead in the paint, is gentle on the wood, and generates minimal dust. www.eco-strip.com
© 2012 Created by Community Host.
Old Houses | Restoration Products | Report an Issue | Terms of Service
