The finite details of your home can make all the difference when it comes to a space looking finished. Baseboards, trim, door frames, cabinet molding, and other small details need to be painted in order for your home to feel professional. For homeowners who want to learn about painting trim and molding like a pro, this blog is for you. While the small details and lines may seem like a hassle, we have gathered tips to make trim painting feel less like a chore.
Clean Before Applying Any Paint
The key to any paint job is doing the proper prep work. Cleaning the dust and debris from your trim and molding will ensure that the paint properly adheres to the surface. These smaller areas are the most common areas that collect dust, so they must be cleaned in order for your paint job to look professional.
Using water and mild soap should be enough to remove debris from trim and molding. Avoid using an abrasive cleaner or brush that could cause imperfections in the paint later. A dish sponge or a rag should be enough scrubbing power to prep the space for paint.
Prep And Prime
Minor dents and scratches are common on trim, door frames, molding, and small spaces in a home. Paint can cling to these imperfections and cause your paint job to look lackluster. Using some sandpaper to even out the surface is a small detail that will elevate your paint job. Use between 120-220 grit sandpaper until you have a completely smooth surface.
You should also seal gaps between wall and trim to avoid the paint sinking in to the crack. Use caulk to seal gaps and ensure a smooth surface. Make sure you sand or smooth down the caulk to match the sanded trim. These small details will help your space look like more of a commercial job, rather than a DIY repair.
Start With 2-3 Foot Sections
Once you are ready to start painting trim and molding, start with small sections to avoid uneven coats. Apply your paint in long even strokes with the direction of the grain. Start by painting a 2-3 foot section and then start another section 2 feet away from the end. This way you can go back toward your first section and feather the two areas together. The first coat of paint doesn’t need to cover the material 100%, so remember to not overload your brush or cause dripping paint on the trim and molding.
Paint Trim And Molding Last
If you are painting walls, ceilings, or doors in your home, these painting projects are best completed first to keep your trim neat and tidy. Many professionals feel that it is easier when painting trim and molding last because they can obtain precise lines and details after the rest of the room is painted.
Choose The Best Paint For The Job
Oil based paint is recommended by professional painters for your trim because it is easier to work with. Oil paint takes longer to dry than water-based paint, which makes it a little more forgivable if you make mistakes or need to blend lines together.
You will also need to determine what finish you want for your detailed paintwork. Here are some of the most popular finishes for trim paint.
- Gloss: This paint provides a shiny finish and is fairly easy to clean. Some homeowners are staying away from gloss because it can show brush strokes and enhance imperfections.
- Satin: Satin paint is a step between high gloss and matte finishes. It has a soft sheen finish and is easy to wipe down and clean compared to matte paints.
- Eggshell: A nearly matte finish paint, eggshell is more durable than a basic matte finish paint. It is a relatively easy paint to work with and is often used for cupboards and doors.
Use An Angled Brush
The best way to get clean lines is to use an angled brush for painting trim and molding. A 2-inch angled brush and single strokes will help you keep your lines clean and precise. Angled brushes are easy to paint trim with because it helps you avoid overloading with paint and are easy to feather two sections together.
Choosing a brush that is the right size for your hand as well as a good angle to reach your trim and molding will help you achieve a clean look. Painting can get tiring, so choosing a brush that is comfortable will help you avoid aches and pains.
Painting Trim And Molding With American Town Painting
Our professional painters have experience painting even the most detailed of spaces. From trim to door frames, we have the tools and team members to get the job done right. Hiring our team will help you get to use your freshly coated space much sooner.
Book an estimate with us today!