How To

How to Paint Wood Molding

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(24 Ratings)

Excellent prep work and patience are the secrets to successfully painting varnished wood molding, such as baseboards and door frames.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Brush Cleaners (for Paintbrushes)
  • Trisodium Phosphate
  • High-quality Brushes Suited To Your Task
  • Oil-base Or Water-base Paints
  • Plastic Drop Cloths
  • Rags
  • Plastic Drop Cloths
  • Rags
  • Metal Teaspoons (regular Tableware)
  • Deglossers Liquid Sanding Product
  • Blue Masking Tape
  • Oil-base Primers
  • Sandpaper
  • Sandpaper
  1. Step 1

    Clean the molding thoroughly with a cleaner like TSP (trisodium phosphate), which doesn't leave a film that could interfere with the adhesion of the paint.

  2. Step 2

    Let the molding dry.

  3. Step 3

    Mask off the area around the molding carefully with professional-quality blue 'safety' masking tape, pressing down very firmly on the tape edges you will apply paint to. Try mashing down the edges with a spoon.

  4. Step 4

    Place drop cloths as needed.

  5. Step 5

    Have one or more paintbrushes on hand in widths appropriate to the molding you are painting. Purchase a high-quality brush or brushes with the type of bristles appropriate to the product you are using, either oil based or water based.

  6. Step 6

    Apply a deglossing product (liquid-sanding solvent) according to the directions, which will specify a waiting period before applying primer.

  7. Step 7

    Apply primer; oil-based primer is best. Note that there's often a window of only 30 to 60 minutes in which primer can be applied successfully over deglosser.

  8. Step 8

    Sand rough areas after priming.

  9. Step 9

    Let the molding dry; this may take a day or more.

  10. Step 10

    Apply oil-based (alkyd) or water-based (latex or acrylic) paint.

  11. Step 11

    Let the paint dry. Oil-based paint usually takes much longer to dry - a day or more - but many paint experts feel it gives a more durable finish.

  12. Step 12

    Apply the second coat of paint.

  13. Step 13

    Let the second coat dry, and remove the masking tape. Oil-based paint should be thoroughly dry before you remove the tape, but some paint experts advise removing tape when water-based paint is still slightly tacky; do what your paint-can directions or paint store advises.

Tips & Warnings
  • High-quality paints and brushes will yield better results. Quality brushes provide a more even coat of paint and will last through many paint jobs.
  • Clean brushes thoroughly. Do not rest brushes with their weight on the bristles - it will deform the bristles and ruin the brushes.
  • Avoid painting on hot, humid days or immediately following rain to avoid getting bubbles in the paint.
  • When using solvent (oil-based) products, ventilate the work area thoroughly. Don't smoke or have any type of open flame (even a gas water heater) in the area.
  • Be aware of the health hazards of working on old paint containing lead.

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