I'm trying to remove the base molding that I have right now. It is lacquered wood and I want to paint it white. From what I have been told it is very hard to paint this stuff so I have to sand it really well. I figured removing it would be the best way to sand it down. My living room is carpet so that is easy. My dining room is real hardwood and it looks like the molding was put on first and then the hardwood flooring was installed right up to the molding, leaving no gap. The carpets are installed the same way. From what I have read (and I'm not saying this is correct), it seems most people put base molding on first when doing carpet and second when doing hardwood to cover the gap. There is no shoe molding or quarter round.
What is the best option here? I don't want to ruin the hardwood floors obviously. I'm trying to keep these moldings to save money. They are simple but I find them to be really nice.
I have taken off some of the molding around the carpet and that was easy but the ones near the hardwood are tough. What I have been doing is tapping in the nails as far as I can without cracking the molding and then prying the molding away from the wall. When there isn't anything holding the bottom tight, it is very easy. But since the hardwood is holding the bottom to the wall I can't pry the molding off.
What is the best option here? I don't want to ruin the hardwood floors obviously. I'm trying to keep these moldings to save money. They are simple but I find them to be really nice.
I have taken off some of the molding around the carpet and that was easy but the ones near the hardwood are tough. What I have been doing is tapping in the nails as far as I can without cracking the molding and then prying the molding away from the wall. When there isn't anything holding the bottom tight, it is very easy. But since the hardwood is holding the bottom to the wall I can't pry the molding off.