Dado rail and skirting boards to re-paint

Question

We are going to paint our hall, please can you tell me what type of paint to use for dado rail and skirting with a Matt finish?
They are already an old gloss after we have sanded, use primer first?

Chris · Accepted Answer

I would recommend using Johnstones aqua guard undercoat x 1 coat and aqua guard Matt x 2 coats, very good paint and very durable, this is also water based so easy to clean your tools

Michael · Answer

Use undercoat first ( white) 
Then use a satinwood finish topcoat
You can either use water based or oil based

John · Answer

Hi, I’d use oil based satin, no need for undercoat, just allow 16 hours before each coat.

Luke · Answer

Yes — after sanding old gloss, use a primer.

What to use (matt finish):
	•	Apply a wood primer or undercoat (or a multi-surface primer if any gloss remains).
	•	Finish with a matt or durable matt wood paint (water-based acrylic is easiest; oil-based is tougher but yellows over time).

Key need-to-knows:
	•	Lightly sand, clean, then prime first to ensure adhesion.
	•	Use 2 thin topcoats for an even finish.
	•	Choose a durable / scrubbable matt for hallways due to wear.

Darren · Answer

Hi
Yes if you sand it back and apply a primer ….you can then top coat it with an eggshell,which has more of a matt finish as apposed to a shiny (gloss) finish.
Hope this helps

Thomas · Answer

After sanding and priming apply satinwood oil based

Oleg · Answer

For dado rails and skirting boards, it is recommended to use a paint specifically designed for interior woodwork, rather than standard wall matt emulsion, as woodwork requires a more durable finish.
If you would like a matt or near-matt appearance, an eggshell or low-sheen satinwood finish is usually the best option. These provide a subtle, modern look while being more hard-wearing and easier to maintain than a true flat matt, especially in high-traffic areas such as hallways.
As the existing finish is old gloss and has been sanded, it is best practice to apply a suitable primer/undercoat first. This ensures proper adhesion and a smooth, long-lasting finish.
After priming, two coats of the chosen topcoat should be applied to achieve an even, high-quality result.

Andreea · Answer

As they’re currently gloss, give them a good clean (sugar soap), then lightly sand to key the surface. Spot-prime any bare wood, then use an adhesion primer/undercoat before finishing with 2 coats of matt wood paint.

Mindaugas · Answer

Use zinzzer primer and paint it with zinzzer scrubbable interior matt, for rail, they suitable and for skirtings

Ryan · Answer

1. Degloss / Scuff Sand
	•	You already sanded the gloss — good!
	•	Ensure surface is matte and smooth — lightly sand with fine sandpaper (120–180 grit) so the primer sticks.

🧴 2. Primer / Undercoat

Use a good bonding primer first:
	•	Water-based bonding primer if available
	•	Or multi-surface primer
	•	Or primer undercoat for woodwork

Good primer options:
	•	Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 Primer
	•	Dulux Trade Quick Dry Primer Undercoat
	•	Johnstone’s Trade Interior Primer Undercoat

Dado rail and skirting boards to re-paint

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