How to Paint Interior Trim
Interior trim is used for framing the gaps between wall materials and doors, windows and floors. It is also used for decorative purposes, such as ceiling crown molding, corner rosettes and ceiling medallions. Some trim options are expensive, and painting the trim helps it to stand out so the investment is showcased in the room. Paint can be color matched to the exact shade of an item in the room and is available with gloss, semi-gloss and satin finishes. Oil-based and latex paints are recommended for painting interior trim. Painting trim requires patience and a steady hand to evenly cover the small pieces and fine details.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Wood putty
- Putty knife
- Latex caulk
- Caulking gun
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Painter's tape
- Vinyl-backed drop cloths
- Primer
- 2-inch angle brush
- 1-1/2-inch angle brush
- 1-gallon pail
- Paint thinner
Instructions
-
-
1
Fill the nail holes in the trim with wood putty; apply the putty with a putty knife or use your finger to push the putty into the nail hole. Allow the putty to fully cure according to the putty manufacturer's suggestions.
-
2
Caulk the areas where the trim meets the wall surface, using latex caulk and a caulking gun. Apply a small bead to avoid excess amounts of caulk on the wall or ceiling finish and smooth the caulk out with your finger tip.
-
-
3
Sand the interior trim with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the trim and putty out. Wipe the sanding dust off of the trim with a tack cloth.
-
4
Tape off the areas not to be painted with painter's tape.
-
5
Cover furniture and floors with vinyl-backed drop cloths to prevent paint from dripping on furnishings.
-
6
Prime the trim from the ceiling down to the baseboards using a two-inch angle brush for wide trim and a 1 ½-inch angle brush for narrow trim. Clean the brushes following the cleaning instructions on the paint primer label.
-
7
Pour the paint in a 1-gallon pail; this is a more manageable size container that allows you to hold the paint for extended periods of time. If using oil-based paint, thin the paint according to the manufacturer's directions; this usually requires paint thinner or mineral spirits.
-
8
Paint the edges of window and door frame trim first, then paint the inside window trim, including the sill, and finish by painting the wide areas of the trim that face out toward the center of the room.
-
9
Paint trim that runs along the wall, such as baseboards, chair rails and crown molding, starting 3 inches from the corner and then work back to the corner. After painting to the corner, run the brush away from the corner to smooth the paint out. Paint the remaining trim with long, even brush strokes, always starting 3 to 4 inches away from the place you left off, brushing toward it and finishing where you began the stroke.
-
10
Lightly sand the trim in between paint coats and wipe the sanding dust off of the trim with a tack cloth. Sanding between coats scratches the surface of the first coat slightly, providing a better bond for the next coat.
-
11
Clean the brushes using the method prescribed by the paint manufacturer. This usually requires warm water and soap for latex-based paints and mineral spirits or paint thinner for oil-based pants.
-
12
Pull the painter's tape away from the trim at a 45-degree angle to avoid pulling paint off the wall.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Additional coats of paint are often necessary for achieving the desired finish. If you apply multiple coats, always allow the previous coat to dry completely before adding another coat of paint.
Repainting interior trim may require washing, scraping or sanding in order to ensure a proper finish with the new coat of paint.
Choose an oil-based primer if using oil-based paints or choose latex primer if using latex paints. You can refer to the paint can label for the manufacturer's specific recommendation.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
