Dark trim can be used to effectively accent a room but the darker color can make it more challenging to change without the proper preparation. If you redecorate or paint a room, the trim will frequently require painting as well unless you remove it entirely. The darker color will potentially show through a fresh paint job and this is why painting dark trim should be done carefully to give it the cleanest appearance possible.
Instructions
1. Clean off the trim with a damp sponge treated with a drop of dishwashing liquid. The mild detergent will help remove dirt and debris from the trim without damaging it. Once the trim is clean, run a damp sponge without the detergent over it to remove any soap and then dry it with a towel.
2. Fill any cracks or holes in the trim with a caulk gun and a tube of painter's caulk. Wipe away any excess caulk with your finger and allow the repairs to dry before continuing.
3. Sand the trim with a 220-grit sheet of sandpaper to smooth the surface. This will help it bond to the primer and paint.
4. Lay down plastic sheets and cover the area around the trim with masking tape to prevent paint from getting anywhere you don't want it to go.
5. Apply a primer to the trim using a 2-inch angled sash brush. The brush is narrow enough to treat the trim without spreading it to other areas, which would be more difficult with a sprayer. The primer is necessary not only to hold the paint to the trim, but to also cover up the darker trim color and prevent it from showing through the paint you are about to apply. Rinse the brush thoroughly once you're finished so you can reuse it for the paint.
6. Apply two coats of either latex or oil-based paint to the trim, allowing it to dry completely in between coats. The second coat is needed to help smooth out the paint job and to further prevent the darker color underneath from showing through. Paint in one direction to keep the paint even and use the edge of the brush to coat the top and bottom edges of the trim.
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