
- Prepare the Room. Preparation is important when understanding how to paint trim. Take steps to keep surrounding areas clear from dust and dripping paint.
- Prepare the Trim. The best way to paint trim is to begin with a clean surface. ...
- Prime the Trim. Use an angled paint brush to apply mixed primer to areas that have been filled. ...
- Paint the Trim. After the prep work and primer, the trim is ready for paint. Pour thoroughly mixed paint into a clean paint tray.
How do I paint the interior trim and walls?
Getting a little bit of paint on the trim won’t matter since you'll go over it later, but try not to be too messy. For the ceiling, cut in along the ceiling line first and then switch to the roller. For the walls, cut in one wall at time and then switch to the roller.
How do you paint the edges of a room?
Follow these steps to paint the edges in a room. To paint the edges, or cut in, dip a brush about a third of the way into the paint and don't scrape it against the sides. Use a small paint bucket when you're cutting in. A small bucket will be much lighter and easier to handle when you're going up and down the ladder.
Should you paint the trim or floor trim first?
The answer is to always paint the trim first. By painting the trim first, you are saving extra prep time later on and creating a surface that will be easier to tape a perfectly straight line on later.
What color should I paint my trim?
White is a common choice, but you can choose virtually any color to paint your trim, as Benjamin Moore offers 3,500+ colors to choose from. Remember to take your time, read all labels and follow all instructions.

What is the correct order to paint a room?
The ceiling should always be painted first. This allows you to effectively cover the surface with at least two coats while not having to worry about any over-spray (the effect of excess paint being sprayed onto the walls) by the roller.
Do you paint the trim or house first?
When all the prep and priming is done, it's time to apply the finish paint to the siding and trim. In most cases, you will want to paint the siding on your house first, and then paint the trim. After the siding is dry you can come back and paint windows, shutters, and any corner moldings.
Do you paint trim the same as wall?
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.
Should you paint both sides of trim?
And touchup painting of spray-painted walls with a brush can yield less than satisfactory results. It is a great idea to prime woodwork on both sides and apply one coat of finish paint on its exposed face before it is installed. The finish trim will need one final coat of paint after it is installed.
How do you paint trim fast?
1:567:11How To Paint Trim Fast - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow one trick to getting straight lines on these edges is when you're painting you want to put mostMoreNow one trick to getting straight lines on these edges is when you're painting you want to put most of the pressure on that outside edge don't lift your roller.
How do you paint trim without tape?
1:023:16Trim Painting Without Masking Tape - An Oregon Cottage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn the corner. Actually touch the molding with it and what this does is it creates so that you don'tMoreIn the corner. Actually touch the molding with it and what this does is it creates so that you don't have a gap in the corner. And when I come back with my molding. Color I'll go right over the edge.
Should baseboards be white or off white?
As a general rule, I would usually recommend painting wood trim white. It is much more contemporary, and it makes your space look larger and brighter. In fact, it can make a HUGE difference!
When painting a room where do you start?
Start by cutting in your paint along the ceiling and trim, and then using your roller. Working on one wall at a time helps to alleviate boredom and allows the cut paint to remain wet for ease of blending.
How do you paint trim like a pro?
0:052:59How to Paint Trim - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPrep your trim by sanding with 120 grit sandpaper. If it's seen a lot of wear and tear now's theMorePrep your trim by sanding with 120 grit sandpaper. If it's seen a lot of wear and tear now's the time to patch and fill any holes dents or cracks.
Is it better to paint trim with a roller or brush?
If you're looking for a quick and easy application process, you can opt to use a roller to get the job done. However, if you want to achieve a high-quality final product, you'll want to use a brush instead. It will take more time to finish, but you'll be able to guarantee complete and smooth coverage of your trim.
What do you paint first in a room?
ceilingIf you're giving your entire room a facelift, always paint the ceiling first. Ceiling paint can age over time and give your room a yellow cast. Sometimes painting a ceiling is one of the best things you can do to improve a room, especially if it's been ignored for decades.
Do you paint the back of baseboards?
Many experts say that it's wise to paint the trim before you install it. It's a fast and easy process that can dramatically speed up paint time. People who paint trim before installing tend to place the boards on sawhorses over a drop cloth to work.
What is pre-finished trim?
Pre-finished polyurethane trim products are available in a selection of colors, and pre-finished MDF (medium density fiberboard) is another option in areas not subject to excessive moisture. Pre-primed wood molding has been available for many years and is less expensive than pre-painted wood or plastic products.
Is pre-painted wood molding cheaper than pre-painted wood?
Pre-primed wood molding has been available for many years and is less expensive than pre-painted wood or plastic products. It’s a good option if you plan to paint your moldings to match the color you’ve selected for windows, doors, and their casings.
Can you paint trim that has already been painted?
It will soon be covered. On the other hand, if the walls and ceilings have already been painted, you’ll need to have a steady hand, painter’s tape, and good brushing technique to achieve a satisfying result along the trim’s thin edges. Even if you’re careful, paint drips and spatters are always a risk. Of course the easiest way to paint trim is not ...
Should I paint trim before or after painting?
Painting trim that is already nailed to the wall takes more time and can be done either before or after you paint the walls. Ultimately it may not make much of a difference, but I prefer to paint moldings before tackling the rest of a room, because then it doesn’t matter if some of the trim paint strays onto the walls and ceiling.
Can you paint trim with spatters?
Even if you’re careful, paint drips and spatters are always a risk. Of course the easiest way to paint trim is not to paint it at all. Prefinished wood trim—including baseboard, casings, and crown molding—are now available at many home centers.
Preparing Walls for Painting
The first step to painting success is proper preparation. Check out these steps and some helpful tips in our Prep for Paint article.
Buying Paint
One gallon of paint will cover about 400 square feet of wall or ceiling. Multiply the length by the height of each wall to get its square footage and total these numbers. For the trim, multiply the length (in feet) by 0.5 for the width.
Planning
Painting an entire room might take a couple of days to complete, making it a great project for a long weekend. To make sure your work pays off, learn about properly preparing walls for painting. Gather all the supplies before you begin and ensure that you have plenty of ventilation while working.
Rolling on Ceiling or Walls
Follow these steps to learn how to paint walls with a roller like a pro.
Wall Painting Cleanup
When you're finished painting, follow these steps to clean up and then your room will be ready to enjoy!
What happens if you paint trim white?
If you are painting your trim white (or really any other color), every hole, gap and crack is going to show after it has been painted. All holes will show as a contrasting black and be horribly noticeable .
How do I caulk trim?
I recommend using a dripless caulk gun, a wet cloth and a tube of flexible, indoor, white paintable caulk. Cut a very small piece off the tip of the tube of caulk and make sure to cut it at an angle so you can lay the tip of the caulk neatly into the gap as you squeeze out the caulk.
What does caulking do to trim?
Caulking the gaps in your trim vastly improves the final look of your painted trim. Gaps show up as a black contrast to your white paint and the caulk makes the installation look perfect. It also allows for a razor sharp tape lines when you go to paint your walls.
How long does it take to sand a wall?
It is easy to work with and sands really easily. This step should take you no more than 5-10 minutes or so in a standard room. Do not fill gaps between the wall and the trim with spackle or gaps between trim boards. These gaps require a flexible caulk or they will crack almost immediately after the job is completed.
How long does it take to prep a 15x15 bedroom?
A typical 15×15 bedroom should then take you anywhere between 4-6 hours.
Is painting trim faster than window and door trim?
Floor trim (baseboards) tends to be significantly faster than window and door trim due to the fact the window casing and door casing involve many surfaces, lots of caulking and more nail holes to fill.
Can you use oil based primer on water based paint?
If you are going to use a water based top coat, then you should use a water based primer (though you can opt to use an oil-based primer to help lock in stains better so they do not bleed through into the water-based top coat). Typically in a residential home, I am going to always recommend water-based paint.
What kind of brushes do you use for Benjamin Moore paint?
Use high-quality brushes—nylon for water-based paint and a natural-bristle brush for oil-based paint. Inexpensive brushes tend to leave brush marks or lose bristles as you paint. Your Benjamin Moore retailer can help you find the right tools and materials.
How to get paint off a can?
Dip your brush approximately 1/3 of the way into the paint and remove excess paint by tapping on the side of the can or container. Apply the paint in a smooth stroke . If you press lightly, the paint will release evenly and level off, giving you a professional-quality finish.
What is advance paint?
ADVANCE is a waterborne alkyd paint, so it provides the quality and durability of an oil-based paint with the soap-and-water cleanup of a water-based paint. White is a common choice, but you can choose virtually any color to paint your trim, as Benjamin Moore offers 3,500+ colors to choose from.
What Materials Do You Need to Paint Trim?
Paintbrush. A paintbrush is an essential tool for painting trim. A short, angled brush is ideal for painting trim. The angled bristles can easily paint corners and fine lines.
How to Paint Trim
Once you have all the necessary materials, it’s time to start your DIY trim-painting project:
