Skirting Board/Decorating Question

[Andy Kev.]

Afternoon All,

I've just been stripping old paper off a wall in order to paint the wall. The skirting board is fairly narrow, probably about 1 1/2" (35 mm) and I will want to eventually replace it with something more like 3" (75 mm). A question arises, which I suppose belongs here because it is not essentially woodworking.

It looks like there was once wider skirting as there are a number of pin heads projecting just above the surface of the plaster. My first thought is to give them light taps with a nail punch, so as to get them below the surface. Is that an accepted method? I ask because if anything is liable to crack and fall apart, it seems to be plaster. There are a few small holes which I have to fill as it is.

Thanks in advance.

 

[9fingers]

I’d pull them but my walls are quite friable and lime render under the plaster.
Try punching them in to see if the plaster will stand it but don’t put emulsion onto the head of the nail as it will rust and show through minimum or even flake off

If you don’t want to drive them in then a dab of oil based paint should avoid the problem.
Bob

 

[Andy Kev.]

Thanks, Bob. That makes sense.

 

[Mike G]

Pull them if you can, but the danger is that you crush the plaster with your claw hammer or pincers. If they won't pull easily without damage, then drive them in, and punch them below the surface with a punch. Fill the resulting hole and decorate.

 

[novocaine]

spread the load and pull them out. even a thin but of baton should be enough to stop the head of the puller digging in.

 

[flying haggis]

if they will be covered by the new skirting take the protruding bits off with an angle grinder.

 

[RogerS]

if they will be covered by the new skirting take the protruding bits off with an angle grinder.

Surely that will make a huge amount of plaster dust ?