Knowledge Builders

do you paint the walls or trim first

by Tony Effertz Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Should You Paint a Room’s Walls or Trim First?

  • In General, Paint the Walls First, Then the Trim ...
  • For Instant Gratification: Paint the Walls First ...
  • If You’re Unsure About Color: Paint the Walls First ...
  • To Follow Convention: Paint the Walls First ...
  • To Cut Down on Corrections: Paint the Walls First ...
  • To Make Trim Painting Easier: Paint the Trim First ...
  • If Your Home Is More Like a Construction Site: Paint the Trim First ...

Paint the Trim First, Then the Ceilings and Walls
That's because it's easier (and faster) to tape off the trim than to tape off the walls. And you certainly don't want to tape them both off! When painting the trim, you don't have to be neat. Just concentrate on getting a smooth finish on the wood.
Nov 15, 2019

Full Answer

Do you paint baseboards first or walls?

You should paint in this order: Ceilings and walls. Interior doors and trim (all should be done before the flooring). The baseboards should be primed and painted with one coat. Install flooring. Install new baseboards. Spot-prime and then add another coat of paint to baseboards because it lessens the chances that something happens to your floors (since now you only have to spot-prime and add one coat).

What is the best color for a great room?

  • Color Family: Varies; can go neutral and muted or go bold with deep blues and reds
  • Complementary Colors: Varies; neutrals go with just about anything; blues play well with orange and gold shades while red makes greenery in the room pop
  • Pairs Well With: Each of these colors work well with white or cream-colored trim

More items...

Do you paint baseboards the same color as walls?

Yes! Painting walls and trim in the same color is a popular trend. Whether you choose a light neutral color or a dark jewel tone, it is more than okay to paint your walls, baseboards, window and door trim, doors, crown moulding, and even your ceilings all the same color.

What is the best way to paint trim?

Paint the Trim

  • Pour thoroughly mixed paint into a clean paint tray.
  • Dip no more than an inch of the angled paint brush into the paint and wipe away excess.
  • Use short stokes to cover a few feet of the trim.
  • Then, smooth the section of freshly painted trim with one long stroke.
  • Repeat this trim-painting technique with another section until all trim is painted.

What happens if you paint trim first?

How to protect paint from second paint color?

Is it hard to paint clean lines?

Is it possible to be halfway done painting a room?

Is it better to paint the wall first or second?

Can you cut in over flat walls?

See 3 more

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Do I Paint Exterior Trim Or Walls First? - Eco Paint, Inc.

Which Do I Paint First Exterior Trim Or Walls? Do you first paint exterior walls or trim? Well, you're almost there, having prepared everything up to this point. Knowing which area to paint first, walls or trim, will be extremely beneficial to overall work flow you have in front of you.

What happens if you paint trim first?

If you paint the trim first and then make a mistake when using your rollers on the walls, you’ll potentially have more paint to clean up than you would if you’d overbrushed slightly . Plus, rollers tend to fling paint droplets into the air (and onto trim!).

Why paint the walls first?

For Instant Gratification: Paint the Walls First. Because walls make up the majority of a room, painting them first will deliver visible results quickly —and give you instant gratification. No matter how nice newly glossy, pristine, brilliant white trim looks, it won’t make as much of an impact as walls transformed from deep indigo to pea green.

What paint should I use for trim?

Lastly, in most rooms, you’ll use higher-sheen paint (such as semi-gloss) for trim and lower-sheen paint (such as matte or eggshell) for walls. So, if you paint the trim first and get some onto the wall, you run the risk of that higher-sheen paint showing through.

Do trim and walls coordinate?

The trim and walls should coordinate in each room, but it’s almost always the wall color that people notice first. With so much surface area, you may not know if a shade looks right until you paint a full wall, or even the whole room. So, if you’re not 100% committed to a wall color, don’t skip to the trim first.

Can you paint trim with a brush?

Trim can be difficult to tackle, since it’s three-dimensional and most often painted with a brush. So it’s only natural to be a bit sloppy when painting the trim. Then, when it’s dry, use easy-release painter’s tape to cover it thoroughly, and proceed to the walls. In fact, many professional painters swear it’s easier and faster to cover the edges of baseboards, trim, and crown molding with tape as opposed to the wall perimeter.

Can you paint trim in a complementary shade?

So, if you’re not 100% committed to a wall color, don’t skip to the trim first. Try a few different color samples and, once you’re satisfied , you can paint the trim in a complementary shade. That way, if you end up disliking the wall color, you won’t have wasted time repainting the trim.

Do you need to repaint trim after painting?

In addition, after painting the walls, you might decide that you don’t even need to repaint the trim. Refreshing the wall color might deliver enough punch to reinvent your space.

When painting trim, is it easier to cover the edges?

It all comes down to the difficulty of applying painter’s tape. When you paint the trim first , it’s much easier to cover those edges with tape than the floor, windows, and doors.

Why do you paint trim?

Starting with the trim means you’ll be able to get the more precise and challenging painting done first, but it also delays your gratification. Once you’re finished painting the trim, you won’t have covered much ground, so it’s much less satisfying than starting with your walls.

What About Pre-Painted Trim?

Instead, it all comes down to your personal preference and which you think will cause the least number of challenges in the long run.

Is it easier to paint walls or trim?

When you’re an inexperienced painter, starting with the walls is much easier than starting with trim. You can be a little sloppy when you’re painting the walls, but it won’t hurt the finished product. If you get some splashback on the trim while you’re painting, it’s not a big deal since you’ll be covering it up anyway.

Can you paint trim after finishing walls?

After you’ve finished the walls and start to paint your trim, you have to be meticulous and pay careful attention. One wrong move, and you could accidentally splash paint on your already finished wall. Starting with your walls first ultimately leaves them vulnerable when you paint your trim, which might be something you’d like to avoid.

Is painting your home easy?

It’s a complicated question to answer because no matter which direction you choose to go, you will face some challenges. Painting your home is not supposed to be easy, so it’s essential that you have a thorough plan and that you diligently stick to it.

Do you have to use painter's tape for crown molding?

Regardless, you’re going to have to use painter’s tape to keep your painting job clean and mess-free, so it all comes down to which taping job is easier for you.

What is the difference between painting walls and trim?

The walls are broad and flat and usually are painted with a roller. The trim is narrow; you need to use a brush. Not only that, the two surfaces usually receive different colors.

Do you tape off trim?

Most do-it-yourselfers like to tape off the areas where they don't want to get paint. With its smooth, sharp edges, trim is easier to apply tape to than walls, especially when the walls are textured.

Is it better to paint walls or trim?

Walls are faster to paint and require less skill and care than trim-work. Walls are primarily rolled, while the trim is exclusively brushed and can look bad if someone slops the paint on, muddling the details, and leaving permanent brush strokes.

Can you cut in paint with tape?

If you're the type of painter who doesn't bother with tape and prefers to freehand that nice, clean edge, you'll find it's easier to cut in when you can spread out your brush over a nice, broad area (the wall) and use just the edge to cut in along the fine line of the trim.

Is wall color better than trim color?

Wall color has a bigger impact than trim color. If it turns out that you don't like the wall color, there's a good chance you'll change the trim color, too. Thre is no sense in painting both surfaces twice.

When painting a wall, what do you do with the paint?

When the paint is laid out, push and spread it into the edge/corner onto both the wall and trim. Fast right?

What nap do you use to paint a wall?

Painter’s trick: we use a roller (the same 9-inch medium nap) and roll the paint onto walls to be painted and tip it smooth with a good brush

How long does a Purdy paint brush last?

It’s amazing and will last a lifetime for you. This brush goes 6 months of daily use for me.

What nap to use for white wall paint?

Tip: use a roller cover with a medium nap (about 3/8 to 3/4-ich is nice). Quality rollers are very quick to clean. If you change from some white wall/ceiling paint to white semi-gloss (this is just for example…any 2 whites really)—scrape with the curve of your 5-in-1 tool, heaven’s gift to painters). So many pros don’t even know this: what are they thinking?

How to roll trim with a 9 inch roller?

With a normal 9-inch roller (details below), roll the big sections of trim, and ‘tip it out’ with your brush. You NEVER need to dip your brush. In the tight corners, your brush will be wet enough. We ‘tip’ the paint to have parallel brush strokes, not roller nap. ( Read this about a trim paint that is water-based but evens out like oil: so cool.)

How to cut paint faster?

Big tip to ‘cut’ the wall paint faster: gently shake the brush low in the can to flick off the excess, then hold the brush over the can. Test this: Dip, shake and lift the brush up and stare at it. How long does it take to drip? That’s how long you have to get it to the trim w/o dripping (don’t shake it hard!) And certainly don’t scrape the brush on the side of the can: you lose your heavy load!

Can you paint walls on trim?

Paint the wall/trim boundary… overlapping on the walls: do all the number of coats you need on the trim. Don’t fear that you will get wall paint on your new trim later! You will! It’s ok.

How much does it cost to paint trim?

Cost to Paint the Trim. Most professional painters charge you by the hour, which may be $20 to $75 per hour. As such, painting trim for a 1,500-square-foot home can cost you $500 to $1,500, excluding the porch. The porch adds $500 to $2,000 to the final amount.

What does trim do in a painting?

Painting tips and tricks. Rather than just ornamentation, trims often give the room balance, character, and proportion. It also plays into your perception and makes the room appear larger.

How long does it take to paint a 15x15 bedroom?

A bedroom (15×15) with the main door trim, closet door trim, skirting boards, and two window trims should take about 2 hours to prep and prime and then 2-4 hours to paint. For an amateur, you may take anywhere from 4-6 hours to paint a bedroom. Painting your living room may not be as time-consuming.

What are the most popular trim colors for 2021?

With trendy trim colors, you can hide flaws and refresh the look of your room. The most popular and trendy trim colors of 2021 are: Black – creates an interesting contrast.

Why gloss trim?

Doors and trims benefit from a gloss or semi-gloss finish since it helps to stand out from the flatter wall surfaces.

What is the purpose of paint on walls?

Paints protect your wall against moisture and wear and tear.

Which is better, a brush or a trim?

The brush is the better and also the classic option when it comes to trims. It is easier to paint without leaving brush marks; however, brush strokes may be a sign of better workmanship, especially in higher-end designer homes.

How to sand a wall with satin paint?

If your current paint is satin or gloss, sand the walls with sandpaper using gentle pressure in a circular motion.

How long does it take for paint to dry before moving?

Once you’ve painted the trim and it’s been left to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours, you can then use ‘easy release’ painter’s tape to tape it off before moving onto the ceilings and the walls.

Do you paint the baseboards or walls first?

The baseboards - also known as ‘skirting boards’ - are considered part of the trim, so these need to be painted before you paint the walls.

What is the best tool to paint a ceiling?

When painting the ceiling, the best application tool is definitely a roller with a double arm frame. The double-arm frame ensures support at both ends of the roller, and this allows you to easily access the area you need to paint.

How long does it take for a paint coat to dry?

After sanding, apply your first coat of paint and let it dry for at least 24 hours. Then lightly sand it again for a completely smooth surface before applying your second coat of paint.

Can you paint outside of trim?

It means you can install the trim, prime and paint it, caulk it, apply a finishing coat, and then move on to painting the walls. You needn’t worry about getting paint outside of the trim as you’ll be covering this when you paint the walls anyway.

Can you use a paintbrush on trim?

For example, when the trim is on the wall, you’re limited to a paintbrush, whereas when you’re working off the wall you can easily use a roller or spray painter for a more efficient application without worrying about it getting on the walls.

How to paint walls with a brush?

To ensure the finished texture will be consistent in these areas, brush on the door and trim paint, then immediately roll it out before the paint dries. Use a 3-in. roller with a nap that's the same thickness that was used for the rest of the wall painting. Roll as close as you can without bumping the opposite wall or slopping paint onto the trim. Finish brushing on the paint and rolling it out in one area before moving on to the next section. Next, check out these 29 painting tool hacks to make your painting projects a breeze.

How to paint a large section of a wall without leaving lap marks?

To paint a large section without leaving lap marks, roll the nearly dry roller in different directions along the dry edge, feathering out the paint as you go. After completing the entire length of the wall or ceiling, move to the next section and paint over the feathered edges. For the second coat, apply the paint in the opposite direction. This crisscrossing paint application sharply reduces (if not eliminates) lap marks.

How long does it take for paint to dry?

Wait for the paint to completely dry at least 24 hours, then use a sharp utility knife or box cutter knife to slice through the film. Start in an inconspicuous area to make sure the paint is hard enough to slice cleanly. If you cut the paint while it's still gummy, you'll make a mess.

How to avoid lap marks on paint?

To avoid lap marks, roll the full height of the wall and keep a wet edge. Lap marks are those ugly stripes caused by uneven layers of paint buildup, a common problem when wall painting. They occur when you roll over paint that's already partly dry. (In warm, dry conditions, latex paint can begin to stiffen in less than a minute!) The key to avoiding lap marks is to maintain a 'wet edge,' so each stroke of your roller overlaps the previous stroke before the paint can begin to dry. To maintain a wet edge, paint an entire wall all at once. Start at one end, running the roller up and down the full height of the wall, moving over slightly with each stroke. Move backward where necessary to even out thick spots or runs. Don't let the roller become nearly dry; reload it often so that it's always at least half loaded. Keep the open side of the roller frame facing the area that's already painted. That puts less pressure on the open side of the roller, so you're less likely to leave paint ridges. Looking to paint your doors next, these are the tips you need to know.

Why do walls look blotchy?

A common problem with wall painting is that freshly painted walls often look blotchy. The color is uniform, but the sheen isn't consistent. This usually occurs over the holes and cracks you patched with a filler or drywall compound. The porous fillers absorb the paint, dulling the surface (a problem called 'flashing').

Can you pull tape off of trim?

Once paint is dry, you can't just pull the tape off the trim. Paint forms a film between the wall and the tape, and removing the tape tears pieces of dried paint off the wall. So before pulling off the tape, cut it loose.

What happens if you paint trim first?

If you paint the trim first, you run the risk of the wall color splattering and having to touch it up again. On the other hand, if you paint the wall first, then the trim paint could bleed over and force you to go back and fix the wall color. The hotly debated issue doesn’t seem to have a definitive answer….

How to protect paint from second paint color?

Whichever surface you paint first, you’ll want to protect it from the second paint color you go to use by covering it with the gentle tape. Make sure that the tape’s edges are flat against the wall so paint can’t seep beneath it.

Is it hard to paint clean lines?

As mentioned above, painting isn’t hard, but it is time-consuming.

Is it possible to be halfway done painting a room?

You may be only halfway done, but the room already feels brighter or more cozy. It’s all to do with the size of your canvas; newly painted trim might be noticeable, but it won’t have quite the same impact as a coat of wall paint.

Is it better to paint the wall first or second?

Painting the wall first is easier and efficient, especially for inexperienced painters. This particular order allows do-it-yourselfers to be slightly sloppier when painting the walls without the job itself looking sloppy.

Can you cut in over flat walls?

Some also find it easier to cut in over the flat, wide walls than having to cut in on the more narrow (and often curved and creased) trim. If you have a steady hand and the time to dedicate to slowly painting the edges and corners, this might be the method for you.

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1.Videos of Do You Paint The Walls or Trim First

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35 hours ago  · On the other hand, painting trim first seems like the obvious answer to some. Just like starting with your walls, there are advantages and challenges to this option, as well. Here …

2.Do You Paint Walls or Trim First? A Pro's Advice - Bob Vila

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33 hours ago  · If you do the trim last, you can just paint over these speckles with your trim paint. Painting the walls first will give you instant gratification. Some homeowners need to see …

3.Should You Paint Trim or Walls First? - The Finished Space

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