Decorating: Woodwork or Walls first

Jun 08, 2026 Last reply: 1 month ago 5 Replies

I have always painted all woodwork first so that the paint can go up to the wall and fill any small cracks where the skirting joins the wall. Then, paint the walls so that any drops of paint on the woodwork can be wiped off with a rag and a drop of methylated spirits - it may need a good rub if the paint has dried too much.



However, with modern water based paints I notice that the meths can lift the paint so am wondering whether painting the walls first is a better scheme.



What other people do in this situation?


Walls first then the woodwork. Use decorators caulk on small gaps between skirting and wall paint will just crack again caulk tends to stay flexible.

Edited to make sense, but yes, that's the way to do it. Use weak stick masking tape

I do similar, although don't find the need for meths when wiping off emulsion - a damp cloth is usually adequate.

Start at the top and work down, so ceiling, walls, woodwork. TW

The meths is only for when the paint has been left long enough to dry hard so can't be wiped off with a damp cloth

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