Learn the technique you need to paint exterior trim the right way.
Painting a contrasting hue on your exterior trim can instantly boost the style quota of your home. A crisp new exterior trim can do wonders to update the outside. Professionals concentrate on choosing complimentary colors, so look to their designs in magazines and online when choosing your trim paint color. Brush up on your painting technique before attempting to paint your house's trim, and nobody will be the wiser that you did the job yourself.
Instructions
1. Stir your paint and prepare the area by cleaning the exterior trim of your home, so it is free of dirt or cobwebs. Lay out painters' canvas around the area where you plan to begin. Choose the highest point of your home to begin painting trim.
2. Set up a painter's ladder and get a helper to hold the ladder while you paint. Dress in work clothes you don't mind getting paint on. Pour a small, 7-inch paint tray you can easily carry in one hand about three-quarters full of paint and carry it up the ladder with you, placing it on the paint tray at the top of the ladder. Or, if you are not comfortable balancing a paint tray or your paint can in one hand, employ the help of a painter's utility tool belt to hook or holster a small paint can to your person.
3. Break in your latex paint brush by wetting it with water; shake it to release excess water. Hold the brush much like you would hold a pencil.
4. Paint your trim by dipping your paint brush into the paint, swirling it around to absorb a full load of paint and wiping excess paint off the brush before applying it to the trim in regular, medium, downward strokes.
Use the paint shield in lieu of painters' tape for a quick way to shield adjoining walls of a different color. Or, use painters tape and apply it flush at the points where the trim meets the wall. Secure by smoothing it down firmly using a strong, flat plastic tool; the friction allows the tape to seal off the wall and prevent paint from seeping underneath the tape.
5. Apply one or two coats of paint depending on the coverage you would like. If applying two coats, first allow the first coat to dry for several hours.
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