Painting Moldings and Trim

Painting Molding and Interior Trim

Preparing your trim for primer and paint

New moldings are usually free of defects and need little care in the way of sanding. However, installed and existing molding will have nails visible if the trim carpenter didn't set the nails. Be sure and countersink any screws that may have been used and use a wood plug glued over the screw heads if necessary. Stain grade molding with nail holes will need "burn sticks" or wood putty. Sand any rough spots or mill marks as they may show up once painted or stained.

Primer, Paint and caulking your molding

After sanding your molding if it was needed, it will be best to use a primer before adding a finish coat. Match the right primer to your finish coat paint type.

Most trim is painted with semigloss or gloss paint. This provides the best protection especially for baseboards, wainscoting and shoe molding. One drawback is the shiny finish it leaves. Latex and Alkyd oil based paints can both be used. Oil based paints are most often used in kitchens and baths where cleaning your molding becomes common.

Remember to lightly sand your primer before applying your top coat of paint as the paint will adhere better to your trim. Be sure to wipe off any dust from sanding. Use a china boar bristle brush with oil based paints and nylon or polyester bristle brushes with latex paint.

Small gaps and spaces are inevitable where baseboards, crown, chair rail and wainscoting panels meet the wall and where miter and coped joints occur. Be sure and use an acrylic latex caulk that is paintable.
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