Paint the trim like a pro by borrowing a few trade secrets.
Trim is the icing on the cake when it comes to painting a room. Get it right, and the entire space looks professionally detailed. The pros know a few tricks to save time and produce a flawless finish. One is to collect an arsenal of different sizes and shapes of brushes so that any trim, edges or decorative touches can be deftly handled without drips, smears or marks. Another is to avoid taping whenever possible to save time. But be forewarned, blue painter's tape can be the amateur decorator's best friend and save you plenty of time and do-overs.
Instructions
1. Begin at the top of the room and work down to prevent any drips from marring finished work. Use a variety of brushes for various trim shapes and sizes. A small, angled sash brush works well on crown moldings. Tape right under the molding with painter's tape, if the molding is to be a different color than the wall. When applying the tape, avoid smears and leaks by pressing along the edge of the tape to seal it to the wall before painting. When the molding is the same color as the wall, paint the molding and extend the paint down an inch or so onto the wall. Then use a roller to blend the brushed section with the rest of the wall so there is no visible seam.
2. Save time and get a sharp finish by learning to cut in instead of tape along trim edges. Paint the trim first and use a full, angled, small brush along the edge where the trim meets the wall. Place the brush on the trim near but not at the edge and allow the paint to spread out a little. Then run the brush steadily down the edge of the trim, watching that the extra paint is pushed along in front of the brush and reaches the edge of the trim in a smooth line. If trim paint does get on the wall, cover it later when you cut in the wall paint.
3. Tackle windows early in the day -- windows require concentration and take a while to paint. For double-hung windows, raise the interior sash and lower the exterior sash nearly all the way. Paint the entire interior sash and the exposed part of the exterior sash and let them dry. Then restore both sashes to their normal positions and finish painting the exterior sash. Taping windows takes forever, so try a professionals' trick to keep paint off the glass. Fill a 1- to 2-inch angled sash brush with paint, then tap it on the side of the can or bucket to shake excess paint loose. Wipe the brush along the side of the can to remove extra paint from the outside of the bristles. Use the cutting in method on the window sashes by placing the brush against the frame and allowing the paint to pool almost to the edge of the trim before stroking the brush smoothly down.
4. Paint paneled doors flat if possible. When painting a door that is hanging in place, paint the panels first, watching obsessively for drips. As each panel is finished, and while the paint is still wet, run a nearly dry paintbrush along the frame part of the panel to pick up excess paint that might pool in the cracks.
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