How best to paint skirting board along staircase?

[ph0u203d]

Hi,

I'd like to re-gloss the skirting board that runs up my staircase, but I don't want to get any paint on the carpet.

I don't think taking the carpet up at the edges is an option, as it would basically mean taking the whole carpet off the stairs, and I don't fancy trying to put it back!

Any ideas on alternative approaches would be great.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Robbie uk]

That part of the stairs is called the stringing. I always use inch masking tape up to the wood and pull off after i have got to the bottom before the paint has dried fully. Pulling it gently at a slight angle away from the string. This also lifts any dust that was there as well.