Expert Painters

Painting Skirting Boards, Architraves and Doors

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24 Sep

Walls get the attention, but it is the trims that make a repaint look professional. Crisp skirting boards, clean architraves and smooth doors are what your eye reads as “well done”, and badly finished trims undo an otherwise good wall job.

Here is what proper trim painting involves.

Why trims are harder than walls

Trims take the most physical contact in the house: feet, vacuum cleaners, furniture, hands on door edges. They are also usually painted in a glossier finish, which shows every imperfection underneath. And they are almost all cutting-in work by brush, which is slower than rolling a wall.

That is why trim painting is often priced separately and why skimping on it shows immediately.

Painted door and window frames

The right finish for each element

ElementRecommended finish
Skirting boardsSemi-gloss or gloss enamel
ArchitravesSemi-gloss enamel, matching skirtings
Internal doorsSemi-gloss enamel
Window frames and sillsSemi-gloss or gloss, sills gloss for durability
Picture railsMatch the trim colour and sheen
Staircase balustradesGloss enamel for wear resistance

Water-based enamels have largely replaced oil-based for interior trims. They dry faster, smell far less and stay white instead of yellowing over time. Oil-based enamel is still chosen occasionally for hardness, but yellowing is the trade-off.

The process that gets a smooth finish

  1. Clean. Skirtings collect dust, scuffs and cleaning residue that stop paint bonding.
  2. Sand. Existing gloss must be dulled so the new coat grips. This step is what separates a lasting finish from one that chips.
  3. Fill and caulk. Nail holes filled, gaps between trim and wall caulked so lines look sharp.
  4. Spot-prime. Bare timber, fillers and any stains need priming or they show through.
  5. Two coats of enamel. Thin and even, brushed out properly, with full recoat time between.
  6. Reinstate hardware. Handles and hinges refitted once the paint has hardened.

Should trims be white?

White and off-white remain the most common, but they are not the only option.

  • Crisp white trims with coloured walls give the classic contrast look
  • Trims the same colour as the walls make rooms feel larger and calmer, and suit small spaces
  • Black or charcoal trims work with modern interiors and black window frames
  • Heritage homes often use a deeper period colour on trims rather than stark white

One practical point: if your ceiling is a slightly different white from your trims, the difference shows where they meet. Pick deliberately rather than by accident.

Interior painting detail work

Common trim mistakes

  • Painting over gloss without sanding, so the new coat peels within months
  • Skipping caulk, leaving visible gaps between skirting and wall
  • Wobbly cut-in lines where trim meets the wall colour
  • Painting door edges and hinges shut, so doors stick
  • Using wall paint on trims, which marks and cleans badly
  • Reinstalling hardware before the enamel has hardened, leaving dents

Doors need extra care

Doors are handled constantly, so they need a hard-wearing enamel and proper curing time. Best practice is removing the door, painting it flat where possible, and leaving it off or wedged open until the paint has hardened. Closing a freshly painted door onto its frame is how they end up stuck together.

Talk to your local team

Expert Painting and Renovation is a family-run, Aussie-local company based in Richmond, with more than 9 years of experience. We prepare trims properly rather than painting straight over old gloss, which is why the finish holds up to daily use.

See our house painting services in Melbourne, our interior painting service, or our guide to house painters near me.

FAQ

Can I paint trims the same colour as my walls?
Yes, and it works well in smaller rooms. Use a different sheen so the trims still read as separate.

Why do my skirting boards keep chipping?
Usually because the old gloss was not sanded before repainting, so the new coat never bonded properly.

Do doors need to come off?
Not always, but removing them gives a smoother finish and avoids paint sealing the door to its frame.

Is water-based or oil-based enamel better?
Water-based enamel is the usual choice now: lower odour, faster drying and it does not yellow.

Related guides

Want crisp, hard-wearing trims? Contact Expert Painting and Renovation for a quote.

About Expert Painting & Renovation

Expert Painting and Renovation is an Aussie-local, family-run company based in Richmond, Melbourne, with more than 9 years of experience in residential and commercial painting and renovation. Our specialists deliver premium workmanship, timely service and durable finishes designed for Melbourne homes.

Whether you need maintenance advice, a single-room refresh or a full home makeover, our team is just a call away.

đź“Ť Our Service Areas Across Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Surf Coast & Phillip Island

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