How to Paint Trim for Pro-Worthy Results
Follow these steps to transition your trim from drab to fab
- Drop cloths
- Paintbrushes
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Primer
- Painter’s tape
- Caulk
It’s no secret that the perfect coat of paint can make a room wow-worthy. And when you learn how to paint trim, you can elevate your space even further by ensuring that every nook and cranny of your home matches your aesthetic. Plus, a beautiful trim can improve your home’s resale value.
A top-notch trim paint job can add texture and color into the corners of your home. But when painting trim goes wrong, it doesn’t only leave a mess—it creates a headache. Luckily, this guide to painting trim will help you achieve high-quality results in no time flat.
Prepping to Paint Trim
Don’t start your painting project until you complete these essential preparation steps.
Move the Furniture
Before you ever pull out your paintbrush, move everything you don’t want to get paint on out of the way. To play it safe, try to remove as much as you can from the space, including furniture, decor, and that stack of unread books. Ideally, you should move everything to another space, but placing everything in the center of your room will work.
If you need help moving heavy furniture, like large armoires or couches, consider hiring a local moving service to take care of it for you. The moving team can navigate moving heavy items safely to another part of the house while you save yourself from a potential back ache.
Cover Your Surroundings
Once you’ve meticulously stacked non-painting items together into a Tetris-esque pile, drape your belongings with plastic covers or drop cloths. You can find these at most hardware stores, and they’ll make sure whatever is left in the room is protected.
Don’t stop at furniture—you’ll also want to keep your floors paint-free. Cover the entire floor with drop cloths to save yourself some desperate paint-scraping later.
Sand
Photo: Brett Taylor Photography / ShutterstockWhile sanding is a step you can feel tempted to skip , it’s an important task you shouldn’t overlook. You should use #60-#80 grit sandpaper to smooth out any bumps or other imperfections on your trim. So much of the finished result depends on the paint’s smooth finish—something only achievable through sanding.
Patch Any Holes
While we usually associate patching with fixing up accidental dings and dents in the wall, your trim can benefit from patching, too. Inspect the wood for spots or nicks, and then use spackle to fill them in. Don’t worry if you use too much—the next step will take care of that for you.
Sand (Again)
Once your spackle is dry (usually after one or two hours), break that sandpaper back out. Focus on those spackle patches, sanding until they’re smooth and even. The smoother they are, the better your paint will look.
Caulk the Seams
Over time the trim’s seams—places where the boards meet, usually in the corners—can bend and warp, creating gaps. Sure, you ignore this and paint around it, but it’s best to take the time to caulk that gap. Apply the caulk in a slow, even motion, and then wait until it’s completely dry before moving onto the next step.
Tape the Trim
Photo: kurhan / ShutterstockPainter’s tape is the secret weapon for painting trim. Without it, your edges will be less-than-neat.
Box in your trim by applying painter’s top at the top, on the bottoms, and at the sides, where applicable. Run the flat end of your paintbrush or other applicator over the painter’s tape seams to ensure tight adhesion. Even seasoned painters have a hard time painting a perfectly straight line, so it’s crucial that you don’t skip this step.
Paint the Trim
Now it’s time to paint! If you’re redoing your whole room, always paint the walls first, working from the top down. Painting trim takes more time than covering your walls and requires a good amount of focus.
Start with a coat of paint primer for a uniform, glossy finish. You’ll want to apply at least two coats of paint on your trim. If you use a primer, that means you’ll apply three coats in total.
Be careful about how you’re using your brush: Only dip the first inch into the paint and make sure to wipe off any excess paint to avoid drips. After applying the first coat of paint, wait about four hours between paint coats to ensure it’s dry.
Remove the Painter’s Tape
Don’t remove the tape until your trim is completely dry; if you take it down too early, you can cause dribbles and drips that will mess up that perfect, crisp line. When it’s time to remove the tape, try to pull it off in one gentle, constant motion. Then, inspect closely to determine whether you need to apply any touch-up paint.
Tips for Painting Trim
Don’t forget to use these tips and tricks for achieving the perfect trim paint job.
Select a paint and brush that is designed for trim—it has a harder and more durable finish than standard wall paint.
Consider using satin or semi-gloss finishes, as they are easier to clean and more resistant to moisture.
Opt for a paint brush over a paint roller for better control over the fine details.
Use a high-quality paint brush to ensure the paint goes on smoothly and evenly.
Choose a paint brush that is well-suited for the size of your trim.
Wipe your trim clean to remove any dust and debris before you paint.
Don’t skip the primer—it helps smooth the surface and disguise any flaws.
Use long, smooth strokes when applying the paint to create an even finish and avoid brush marks.
Allow the paint to dry for four to six hours before applying a second coat.
Be patient and take your time to ensure that you get a smooth, professional-looking finish.
DIY vs. Hire a Pro
It’s always tempting to save money by going the DIY route—and, with the right prep work, it’s still possible to achieve beautiful results. Still, painting detailed trim work requires a considerable amount of physical effort, not to mention time, to get this project done. What’s more, the cost of stepladders, paintbrushes, and other supplies adds up quickly.
Hiring a local interior painter will help you get the results you want in a fraction of the time. Professional painters can guarantee high-quality, long-lasting results, plus save you from spending the weekend hunched over your baseboards. Keep in mind that professional painters cost $25 to $50 per hour for labor costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional painters will use careful prep work and attention to detail to achieve perfect, crisp lines when painting trim. First, they’ll clean and sand the trim to prepare the surface for painting. Then, they’ll apply a high-quality primer and allow it to dry. After that, they paint the trim with at least two coats, allow it to dry, and then clean up the area when they finish the job.
In most cases, the ideal number of paint coats is two, whether you are painting the interior or exterior of your home. The same goes for painting trim—one coat of paint is rarely enough for adequate coverage, plus it likely won’t be durable enough to last, so you’ll want to use at least two coats. You may need additional coats, depending on the quality of the paint and the original color of the trim.
Whether you’re taking on the project yourself or investing in the cost to have your home’s interior professionally painted, the room typically gets painted before the trim. This method allows for a more efficient workflow, as you can paint the walls quickly with rollers before moving to the detailed trim with a paintbrush. You’ll also avoid potential splatters on the trim that could happen while painting the walls.
