How To Paint Trim Like A Pro
Painting your home takes some work, patience. and a steady hand. Your walls may not seem like too much of a task, as you don't have to be too meticulous; however, painting trim around windows and doors, as well as baseboards, requires time and the proper paint supplies. Follow the tips below to get your trim to look like it was painted professionally.
Tools For The Job:
- 2 1/2 inch angled paintbrush
- Semi-gloss or high-gloss white paint
- Painter's tape (wide width)
- White paintable caulk and caulk gun
- Large and small putty knife
- Utility knife
- Glad Press and Seal (optional)
- Drop cloth
Instructions:
Before beginning, keep in mind that if your trim is not primed, it will require a coating of primer so the paint will not just soak in. If it is stained, it will require a good sanding and coating of primer before attempting to paint it. (Your trim should be removed in order to give it a good sanding if this is the case.)
- Tape the wall using your painter's tape to prevent the white paint from getting on your wall. Using the small putty knife, press the tape onto the wall to give it a firm hold and to prevent any gaps between the tape and the wall. You can use tape to cover flooring and carpeting, along with a drop cloth, or use Glad Press and Seal pressed firmly onto your flooring/carpeting to protect paint from getting on it.
- Take the caulk and caulk gun, and caulk the trim around your windows and doors to help fill in gaps between seams and along the walls. This helps give your trim a nice finished look. Use your finger or a metal spoon to smooth the caulk. Have some rags on hand to wipe the caulk off of your finger or spoon. Allow the caulk to dry thoroughly before painting it. Apply a second coating of caulk if needed.
- Next, use your 2 1/2 inch angled paintbrush along with just a little bit of paint on it (enough to cover the bottom, but not too much that the paint runs). Using short, even strokes, paint the trim on the sides and the front, being sure to paint over the caulk as well.
- Allow the first coating to dry, then paint a second coat if needed.
- Look over your trim and fill in any gaps using paint for smaller gaps or caulk for larger ones (smooth out the caulk, then paint over it).
Give your trim and baseboards a nice finished look using caulk, a good paintbrush, and paint that offers good coverage.
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