There are visible “knots” in some areas and some are quite noticeable and dark in colour. Are they to be treated separately or can we paint over them. Also what paint is best to apply to new skirting boards. We have done the whole bungalow so this is a lot of painting. We have a limited budget and want to do this ourselves. Thanks, Linda
This is quite a subject and not one I can answer properly in a few sentences but, briefly…
If you're using a traditional oil-based undercoat & gloss then you'll need to treat the knots with Patent Knotting which is available in most DIY stores. This will stop the resin bleeding through the finished paintwork.
If you are using a water-based finish then you shouldn't use knotting as it can have an adverse reaction. For most knots you can just paint over them with water-based primer or undercoat. Because the knots are resin based they will not normally bleed through.
In extreme cases you should used an aluminium wood primer for oil-based finishes or, for water based finishes a product such as Ronseal Knot Block (available at B&Q) will work well enough.
What paint is best depends on the finish you want, how much work you're willing to do and your budget. My general advice is to stick to well-known brand names.
For new skirting you may find a water-based system is easier but if you want a traditional glossy finish then you should use an oil-based undercoat & gloss.