Properly Painting Trim

How Trim Is Painted Properly

Properly painted trim gives your home a clean look, and one of class and sophistication. In contrast, a sloppy trim-painting job gives your home a messy, unkempt look. If you’ve been nervous about painting interior house trim because you fear you don’t know how to get the right look, don’t worry. All it takes is the right preparation and a little patience. Here’s a guide on how to paint interior trim.

Clean the Trim

Start by cleaning the trim to remove any dirt or dust particles. A damp sponge with warm water should be sufficient to clean the trim.

Sand the Trim

Next, to ensure a clean, smooth painting surface, sand down the trim with 120-grit sandpaper. When the shine is gone from the trim, you’re done. If the trim is especially rough, use 80-grit sandpaper to get it down to a smoother, more workable surface, then finish off with the 120-grit. Use a damp sponge to get rid of the dust that results.

Spackle the Trim

If there are any holes or cracks in the trim, fill them with spackle. Once the spackle dries, sand down the spackled areas so they match the rest of the surface, then wipe away the dust with a cloth.

Apply Painter’s Tape

You’ll want to apply painter’s tape around the trim to avoid getting paint on anything other than the trim. First, dust off the areas where you will be applying the tape to help it stick cleanly. Use long pieces of tape. Pull off a few inches, press it to the wall without removing it from the roll, then pull out a few more inches. Remove the tape once you’ve reached the length of the trim.

Prime the Trim

Paint the trim with primer, covering the entire trim. Let dry for 24 hours. If any wood or spackle is showing after it dries, apply another coat. Once the primer dries, sand down again with 120-grit sandpaper and sponge off dust.

Paint the Trim

Dipping an angled brush into the paint tray about ½-inch to an inch deep, apply paint to the trim with short, horizontal strokes. Paint a few inches of trim this way, then add one long stroke to smooth out the paint. An additional long stroke or two may be required to completely smooth it out. Continue this process with every few inches of trim until the trim is fully painted.

Remove Painter’s Tape

Before the paint dries, carefully remove the painter’s tape.

Now you know how to paint house trim. Painting your trim in this way ensures a professional-looking result you can be proud of. Too tedious to do yourself? That’s why we are here! If you are looking for professional trim painting services from a company you can trust, contact Nolan Painting today!