Painting trim can enhance the look and feel of the room. The right color and proper painting technique make the space more welcoming. Earlier trims were all about the Woody look. However, with the changing trend, homeowners love painting their trim to make it pop. They either love painting the trim white or adding some accent color.
But adding the minor detailing on the trim can make the painting task challenging. So, if you want to make the trim the center of attention, here’s an easy and professional guide that’ll help you do it.
6 Effective Steps to Paint Trims
Gather Your Paint Supplies
Before starting the trim painting project, here are a few things that you should keep handy -
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Sandpaper
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Damp sponge
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Caulk
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Tape
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Primer
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Spackling compound
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Paint brush
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Paint of your choice (choose one that complements the walls and fixtures)
Prep Your Trim
If you want an even paint job, always start by cleaning the trim surface. To do so -
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Scuff the surface with a coarse 80-grit sandpaper.
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Then, gradually move up to 100 and 120 grit.
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If you have a new trim, it is advisable to use 120 grit just to remove the shine.
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Once the trim is sanded, wipe off the dust with a damp sponge or lint-free tack cloth.
While preparing the surface, if you find any holes, crevices, or cracks in the trim, fill them in with spackling compound. After it dries out, sand it out with 120 grit sandpaper and wipe off the dust. If you find any gaps, fill them out with caulk.
Tape the Surrounding
Once the caulk dries out and the trim is prepped, it’s time to tape the edges because an unsteady hand can lead to paint getting all over the walls and floors. Hence, taping can protect them and also help you get clean and crisp lines along the edges. When applying the tape, ensure to press it all the way down the edges. This ensures that the tape is in place so that the paint won’t bleed through.
Begin the taping process using a 3-inch leader from the tape roll. Secure it firmly to the wall next to the trim. Then, while the tape is still in place, draw out another length and push it against the wall.
Prime the Trim
Priming the trim gives a smooth surface to work on and a good finish. To apply the primer, use an angled brush so that the nooks and corners can also be covered. Remember not to dip the brush more than 1 inch. Then, remove the excess primer from the brush and apply it to the surface. While priming, if you find any knots or resin pockets in the trim, apply a first coat of primer on it as well.
Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours, and if you see wood or spackling through the primer, apply a second coat. After it dries completely, sand away to make the surface smoother and remove any brush strokes. Once it is sanded, remove the dust using a damp sponge.
Start With Cutting in the Edges
Now, to paint the trim, you can use cutting-in techniques. This technique involves loading the brush with paint and wiping off the excess by scraping the brush on the edge of the paint pan or bucket. To apply the paint, start by dragging the brush around the edge and keep the bristles about ¼ inch from the wall or ceiling.
Repeat the process, but this time, bring the brush a little closer. This makes it easier to get a perfect paint job than trying to get it done right the first time. Angle the brush away from the cut-in line, and then use the lay-on and lay-off method to fill in the middle part.
Lay-On and Lay-Off Techniques
After loading the brush with paint, use a few back-and-forth brushstrokes to swiftly unload paint onto the surface. It is known as the lay-on technique, which prevents any obvious brushstrokes. Continue painting until you have covered a few feet of the trim. Don’t worry about the appearance yet.
Next, to lay off the paint, draw the bristle tips across the wet paint in a single and lengthy stroke without refilling the brush. For this, start in the unpainted area and connect to the previously painted section. At the end of each stroke, sweep the brush off the surface. When a section is done, move on to the other and repeat the process. Be sure to maintain continuity for a smoother finish.
| Notes | If the trim is wider than the brush, it will require several laying-off strokes. |
Air Out the Space
Try to air out the area before applying the second coat because if you close all the doors and windows, the room will smell like paint, which may cause breathing issues or respiratory problems.
Conclusion
Painting your trim either with spray or brush paint requires a lot of time and effort. A little mistake may make it challenging to rectify. So, if you are a DIY enthusiast, consider following the steps mentioned above. However, you can get in touch with a professional to get the trim painted for a professional and finished look.
