Skirtings problem

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:33 pm

Hi all. I have stripped the floors in our 20's semi. Very nice too. Problem is that when previous owners had work done, some sort of acrylic resin type thing has been put on some of the skirtings and I cannot get it off. I have tried nitromors and strippit etc but it doesn't touch it. I really don't want to paint skirtings and am looking at replacing them and architrave which would be such a shame.

Question is does anyone have any idea what this stuff is and how I can get rid of it so keeping my woodwork and staining rather than painting over. Many thanks.

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:44 pm

ruth, any chance of a pic?
is this acrylic stuff like a paint?

Welsh Decorator · Post by **Welsh Decorator** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:46 pm

Sounds like it could well be 'decorators caulk', if it soft to the touch, not rubber'y then a bluntish tool like a shave hook will be able to scrape it out.
If it is rubber'y, then it is silicon, you will then need a silicon eater to remove it.

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:09 am

Hi Thanks very much for your replies. It's difficult to explain without a pic. I will try and upload but in the meantime, it is a thin layer of white stuff. It is like a wash more than a paint. I have managed to sand some off some skirting but it takes so much doing. It is almost as if it has sunk into the wood which is infuriating. The annoying thing is that these are what I would call 'proper' skirtings, you know, not piddly things. I will have a look at tougher removal equipment but can't think of anything tougher than paint stripper.

Thanks again for your input.
Ruth.

Only-Me · Post by **Only-Me** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:17 am

Sounds like distemper

Tryanything · Post by **Tryanything** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:28 am

I will have a look at tougher removal equipment but can't think of anything tougher than paint stripper.

Thanks again for your input.
Ruth.[/quote]

Hi Ruth
Have you tried a heat gun

Jaeger_S2k · Post by **Jaeger_S2k** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:15 am

A photo will help.

Could it be a bleach?

If you've exposed the grain (of the wood) although not the colour, it may be you've done enough and could get back to wood colour by staining (if you know what I mean?).

Photo will let the wooders help you better.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:54 am

some old acrylic can be a bu66er to get off

have you tried an extended exposure on the offending area [3 layers of kitcken roll coverd in plastic to keep the area active

may or may not work but worth a try[worked for me sort of

]

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:24 am

Hi all. Yep tried heat gun, doesn't touch it. It comes off slowly with sanding but takes half of skirting with it. Off to B&Q to see what they have but as one poster said, I may have to get it as good as I can and then stain over. In the back room I did just that and it does show through slightly but doesn't seem I have much option other than replace which I don't really want to do.

Whilst I am here could I push my luck a little? As I said, we have just done floorboards - they are in great condition. Someone said to use Danish oil instead of floor varnish. Never heard of this option before. Anyone got an opinion?

Thanks. Ruth.

Welsh Decorator · Post by **Welsh Decorator** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:56 am

The stuff on the skirtings still sounds like caulk, what grade of paper are you useing?

Flooring wise, if the floor is 'high traffic' i.e. a lot people useing it, then oil would not be my recomendation, as it will get very dirty VERY quick, better useing an acrilic floor varnish, this will for cleaning.

tim'll fix it · Post by **tim'll fix it** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:20 pm

sound like water based primer to me

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:24 pm

i use hardwax oil on any floors i put down.
varnish looks bilge.

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:05 pm

Hardwax oil? please explain. I did use floor varnish on the back room and to be honest, even though I am happy, sometimes it does look a bit plasticky.

The room is front room which with 3 kids plus friends, yes very heavy traffic.

I will get pic of white stuff asap but from what I am hearing, there's nothing much I can do about it.

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 10:52 pm

Found hardwax oil. Sounds interesting and highly recommended by those that know. Thanks for that, will investigate further.