How to Paint Trim

Painting the trim in a room of your house shouldn't be a task. It should be an art project. The trim in a room consists of frame work, baseboards and any area that is not normally painted the same color as the walls. Here are some easy steps to paint the trim to make it look as if you hired a professional. No more using special brushes or tools.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blue painter's tape (wide)
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Paint stir
• Ladder
• Drop cloth
• Wet rag
• Small disposable bowl container

1. Tape around all baseboards and windows. Place the tape on the wall above and below the surfaces you will be painting. Don't forget to tape around the glass in the windows and door frames as well. Place the tape on the glass of the window to keep your windows from getting paint on them. Make sure the tape is securely in place. Place the drop cloth on the floor to protect your carpet or floors. Open your paint and stir with a paint stir. Get all the way to the bottom of the paint container.

2. Pour some paint into the small container. You can carry this up the ladder with you when you paint the top of the window frames and door frames.

3. Begin your painting from the top down. Paint around the top of the door frame first. Work your way down the door frame to the baseboards.

4. Continue in this manner until all the areas are painted. As soon as you are finished painting, begin removing the tape, being careful not to allow it to touch the walls. If it accidentally touches the wall, use the wet rag to remove the paint smudge.

5. Allow the paint to dry completely before hanging curtains or moving furniture back into the room. When the paint has dried completely, you can begin painting the walls.

Tips & Warnings

• It is a good idea to paint the walls first and then paint the trim.
• Some surfaces may require more than one coat to cover. Do not remove the tape until you are completely finished with all coats.
• Make sure you clean your brush well before storing it away.
• When trim is completely dry, you can begin "cut in " work to paint the walls.
• You can tape small sheets of paper over the windows to make sure you don't get paint on them. Simply cut the paper small enough to leave a glass edge for the tape to adhere to.
• Do not allow the paint to get on any surface you do not want to paint. If it does drip on the floor or wall, use a wet cloth to wipe away any smudges.
• Do not place tape over surfaces you are trying to paint. It must be above, below and to the sides of all surfaces waiting to be painted.