Pro Tips for Painting Trim
Painting trim is detailed work and takes skill and precision to master. Pro tips from an award-winning local painting company (us!) will help you achieve great results when painting the trim in your home!
- Supplies – First, there are a few supplies you need on hand for any great paint job, including trim painting: sandpaper or sanding blocks (100- or 120-grit), putty and knife, painter’s tape, dropcloths, paint brushes, paint try and/or pail, and of course the paint itself (high quality interior latex paint).
- Clean – You’ll need to clean the surface of the trim or else your hard work will be in vain and the paint won’t apply correctly. Use a dry cloth to wipe away spider webs and dust. Follow with a damp cloth to clean away grime buildup.
- Sand & Make Repairs – After cleaning, go over the trim with your sanding block or sandpaper. The purpose of this is primarily to dull down any shine, but it’s also good to smooth down any imperfections. If you see nail holes, dents, or cracks, fill them with the putty and smooth them over as you go.
- Painters’ Tape – Painter’s tape plays a key role in achieving crisp, clean lines in your paint job. Take the time to apply long strips of painter’s tape, usually at least several feet long, and press the tape firmly onto the wall next to the trim you’ll be painting. Be sure to press hard so the tape adheres firmly and evenly to prevent trim paint from seeping onto the walls.
- Coatings – If you’re painting bare, unpainted wood trim, you’ll need to first apply at least one coat of high-quality interior primer. Let the first coat dry, and if you still see bare wood, apply a second coat. Once primer coats have dried, finish with a smooth coating of high quality interior latex paint. You can pull up the painter’s tape while the paint is still wet.
Once you’ve applied your final topcoat, just stand back and admire your good work! It’s amazing what a difference a great trim painting job can make to the look of the room, and thought it’s careful, time-consuming work, it’s well worth it when you see those crisp, clean lines and bright white trim!
Great local painting companies can take care of the interior painting for you, too, including all trim work. There are many good Jacksonville FL painting companies, but The Painting Craftsmen is the best choice for high quality work that will last. Our expert interior painters are known for their eye for detail and precision as well as efficiency, and we’re the trusted painting contractor to homeowners throughout Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra, Riverside Avondale, San Marco, and Mandarin. We specialize in high quality coatings and great customer service, so if you’d like the job done right, call on The Painting Craftsmen!
