Trim in ex-council flat: how to paint or strip?

Hi there. There are a few different things you could do with this! In terms of quality i.e how good it looks. 1. Replace the woodwork - this is the most expensive option as it involves removing the old woodwork, replacing it, making good around it, preparing and painting it. You would probably have to redecorate the walls too, if you weren't going to anyway. 2. Strip the woodwork - this is the second most expensive option. It would involve removing the old paint with a heat gun or liquid paint stripper, then preparing and painting it. 3. Light rub and prime - this is the cheapest option. Here's how to do it. Using 180 grade (fine) sandpaper rub down the woodwork to take the shine off. Spend extra time on the runs but not so much that you take the top layer of paint off. The point of this is that by using the finer paper, although it takes a bit longer, you don't 'tear into' the paint, causing the top layer to start peeling (this is highly annoying and happens when the gloss is on top of old gloss that hasn't been under coated). When that's done, prime the wood work with Zinser Bullseye 123 (the blue primer), it has great adhesion and can go over bare wood. Then apply at 2-3 coats of water based top coat. This is the cheapest option but can look decent if done well.

Very good answer from The Devon Decorating Company. A lot can be done by carefull sanding. And that is ( at least) on the areas with runs, no sanding by machine because the extra friction means heat and that will tear into runs and rip them. Start with a fine grade rather than the usual advice of a course grade ( 80 grit etc) and pay attention to the paper becoming clogged with paint. If this happens it will start to lift paint rather than abrade. Zinsser 123 is a great primer. But i also prime problem areas with zinsser b.i.n. once 'sealed' then i know i can continue with normal priming/ undercoat. Water based paint systems are so much better now ( the quality ones) oil base is for dinasaurs that refuse to move withthe times. I recently finished a new build stairwell trim using bedecs aqua advance paint system. It was good to use and a great finish. It was a satin fimish but when set after 48 hours did appear more an eggshell

Not easy. But i would strip using nitromores stripper sand well tben prime two undercoats and then gloss or satinwood oil based far better than water based paint.

Firstly you have to think about how much you prepared to spend and how you want the trim etc to look as by the sound of it theres no easy or quick remedy, in my opinion and through experience the best way may be to strip off the old paint using a nitromore solution, and scraping off and sanding .if you are doing this yourself then im sure you will be happy with the final result and that you have done it yourself..

I would suggest burning of to bare but this would be a long process but would be able to paint with no problems after a fine sanding