Tips to Paint Trims and Moldings 

Winter is a great time to tackle all those indoor projects that you put off all summer long because, “it was too nice outside to be stuck inside doing chores.” If painting is on your list over the next few months, you might be in the beginning stages of choosing a color, gathering your tools, and cleaning out the room you plan to paint. Painting the walls is one project that most family members can get behind. Scraping the trim, sanding, and repainting the details of the molding is another case entirely. 

The trim details around your windows, doors, and ceilings are what make a room look finished and well put together. Those little details can change the look of a room by adding depth and dimension. That’s why it is so important to set aside some time to carefully clean, scrape, prime, and paint those features that add character to your rooms. Painting the trim may be one of the more arduous steps in any painting project, but one that will pay off in the professional look of the room when you are done. 

Inspect the Trim 

One of the first things you will want to do when you clean out the room is to carefully inspect the trim in the room. Go around with a work light and circle with a pencil the defects in the wood or places where there are stains. Identify areas that will need repairs and those that will need sanding and scraping. This will give you a good idea of the scope of the project. 

Sand and Scrape 

Once you have found all the trouble areas, you will want to gather your tools such as a sander (hand or electric), putty knife, scraper, and an older paint brush for dusting out the particles from corners. Scrape and sand all the areas that you marked as needing help. Some areas may need putty to fill in cracks or holes. Use the putty knife to get into the tight corners or areas with detailed molding. Use the brush to sweep out all the remaining paint particles. 

Dust and Vacuum

Now that you have taken the time to repair the trim and fill in any defects such as scuff marks, scratches, and holes, you need to do a thorough cleaning of the area. Dust, vacuum, and wipe down with a damp cloth to get all the pieces that were left behind during the repair process. 

Prime and Paint 

With the dirty work done repairing and sanding, now it’s time to prep the area for painting. Get yourself a high quality edged brush that can get into the small corners and create a sharp line up against the trim and detailed moldings. Some painters prefer cutting in while others use painters tape to make sure the ceiling, walls, and flooring is not painted. Choose the method that works best for you. 

Do you have trim that needs to be repaired and repainted? Call Jerry Enos Painting to get started on your winter indoor projects. Check out our website or Facebook page where we give lots of helpful tips. 

Categorised in: Color Trends, Interior painting, Jerry Enos, Trim and Molding