- Thread starter Moo
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Feltwell
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I usually lift the carpets and re-fit them once the room is done. Never had much success with masking tape.
However, Mrs F senior - i.e. my mum - swears by these:-
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9254621
Basically strips of curved plastic that you wedge under the skirting board and leave in place until the paint is dry. They work well, but inevitably when you remove them they have stuck slightly to the paint on the skirting board. Run a knife down the join to break the paint film before you try to move them.
However, Mrs F senior - i.e. my mum - swears by these:-
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9254621
Basically strips of curved plastic that you wedge under the skirting board and leave in place until the paint is dry. They work well, but inevitably when you remove them they have stuck slightly to the paint on the skirting board. Run a knife down the join to break the paint film before you try to move them.
Thanks so much for those ideas. I've seen paint-guard thingies in diy stores, but their claims seemed to be too good to be true. I may buy a selection and do a sort of Which? test.
Rob - I'd dismissed the idea of masking tape on anything but a hard surface; how do you use yours (and do you get an extra-wide version?)
And as for lifting the carpet and relaying it !!!!!!!!!!
Rob - I'd dismissed the idea of masking tape on anything but a hard surface; how do you use yours (and do you get an extra-wide version?)
And as for lifting the carpet and relaying it !!!!!!!!!!
Feltwell
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Lifting carpet and relaying it is quite a heavy & physical job. If you've some willing help available though (sons of Moo?), it's not difficult - provided you get yourself one of these:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AM-TECH-C...FittedCarpets_Underlay_SM&hash=item2562c4dbbd
It's nigh on impossible to refit a carpet and stretch it properly without one of these. It's all you need really, and a cheap version like the one on my link is fine for occasional use. I used to use a home made version with nails sticking out at an angle from a block of wood, with a bit of rag wrapped round the end to cushion it as you whacked it with your knee - but when I had a load to do a while ago I treated myself to the proper version, it's much better and less painful on my knees! The tool that pro carpet fitters use to tuck the carpet under the skirting board and hence grip the gripper rods I've found you can do without by carefully using a brick bolster or even a wooden kitchen spatula instead.
Or, most carpet fitters will do a refit and restretch for a small fee (bloke I've bought carpets from in the past charges £10 if local I think, for a single room)
But somehow I suspect the idea of lifting carpets still won't appeal! I don't think you'll get a perfect paint finish at the bottom of the skirting board without lifting them, but then again if you can get it to a reasnoble standard then the pile of the carpet hides the bottom edge a little anyway, probably enough so you wouldn't notice it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AM-TECH-C...FittedCarpets_Underlay_SM&hash=item2562c4dbbd
It's nigh on impossible to refit a carpet and stretch it properly without one of these. It's all you need really, and a cheap version like the one on my link is fine for occasional use. I used to use a home made version with nails sticking out at an angle from a block of wood, with a bit of rag wrapped round the end to cushion it as you whacked it with your knee - but when I had a load to do a while ago I treated myself to the proper version, it's much better and less painful on my knees! The tool that pro carpet fitters use to tuck the carpet under the skirting board and hence grip the gripper rods I've found you can do without by carefully using a brick bolster or even a wooden kitchen spatula instead.
Or, most carpet fitters will do a refit and restretch for a small fee (bloke I've bought carpets from in the past charges £10 if local I think, for a single room)
But somehow I suspect the idea of lifting carpets still won't appeal! I don't think you'll get a perfect paint finish at the bottom of the skirting board without lifting them, but then again if you can get it to a reasnoble standard then the pile of the carpet hides the bottom edge a little anyway, probably enough so you wouldn't notice it.
Penners
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I wouldn't even think about lifting the carpet, particularly on stairs. It's well nigh impossible to get back exactly as it was - not to mention the punishingly hard work involved.
I've usually used the masking tape solution, although I confess that the success of this technique does depend on how long the carpet pile is. The longer, the more difficult. I have, on occasions, ended up trimming off one or two errants tufts that have managed to embed themselves into the paint.
Those carpet protector things look like a really good idea. I shall try them myself, next time.
I've usually used the masking tape solution, although I confess that the success of this technique does depend on how long the carpet pile is. The longer, the more difficult. I have, on occasions, ended up trimming off one or two errants tufts that have managed to embed themselves into the paint.
Those carpet protector things look like a really good idea. I shall try them myself, next time.
Penners
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Thanks, Moo. I shall be interested to know how you get on.
CliffordPope
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I use something which I think is called a carpet shield.
It is a bit like a large plastic set-square, with a straight bevelled edge and a handle.
Slide it under the skirting board at one end, and work along as you paint. Don't remove it until you reach the far end, and then ease it out carefully to stop carpet tufts springing up.
It is a bit like a large plastic set-square, with a straight bevelled edge and a handle.
Slide it under the skirting board at one end, and work along as you paint. Don't remove it until you reach the far end, and then ease it out carefully to stop carpet tufts springing up.