"Cutting in" is the process of painting alongside the edges of a wall, by the ceiling and floors, and around the windows forming the edge of an area to be painted. Novices often use painter's tape to tape off the adjacent areas, assuming that only professionals can cut in freehand. But in fact, using tape often makes the paint job look worse, as paint usually seeps under the edges of the tape. If you can keep your hand fairly steady, you can cut in. It just takes some patience. (But keep a damp washcloth handy to wipe off errant paint just in case.)
Use the Right Equipment
Proper cutting in of paint requires the same tools as the rest of your paint job, with one addition: a "sash brush," which is a medium-to-small-angled brush. Named for its use on the mullions of window sashes, it's crucial for all kinds of tight spots, because you can set its top edge along narrow spans and into corners with ease. You'll always want a paint roller, which you use to roll on the main portion of the paint, up to within about an inch of the edges. But then, use the sash brush to paint the edges out to the rolled area. Press the edge of the brush so it fans out just a little, and drag it very slowly.
Use the Right Amount of Paint
One of the hardest things to learn when cutting in is how much paint to use, because it's not an exact science. You need a moderately heavy collection of paint on the brush when you start. Too much, and it will drip and bleed past the edge; too little, and it will fall short. Try dipping about half the brush in, letting the paint run off for a moment, then very lightly pulling both sides across the inner edge of the can to remove the excess paint.
Keep a "Wet Edge"
Don't paint the main span of an area, take a lunch break, and then come back and do the cutting in. The closer together the two processes are, the better. If any of the paint dries during the process, it could leave ridges at the edge, because you won't have smoothed it out.
Layers
Two, three or ever four thin layers of paint are much better than one thick layer in terms of cutting in. The thicker the layer of paint, the more likely it is to form drips or ridges, and the whole point is to get it as flat and straight as possible. Always err on the side of incomplete coverage, as you can always add another coat.
Related posts
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 pro...
The job of interior painting goes much faster if you choose the correct brush for the job.Painting a wall with a brush means knowing the right brush for the right job. One of the most troublesome...
Proper roller selection is just one way to ensure a great Dulux paint project.The Dulux company produces painting products that are distributed all over the world. Dulux produces a variety of prod...
Painting with a rollerIt is not always necessary to hire a contractor to paint the interior of your home. Even if you aren't very experienced, painting is easy to learn. Don't be fooled by all of...
Applying paint with a roller and roller pad is a popular and efficient way to cover large, flat wall and ceiling surfaces with latex paint. This method is most commonly used on the interior of hou...
