The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Painting trim adds crisp lines to interiors and separates differentroom colors.

It’s easy to learn how to paint trim the professional way.

Ifpainting baseboards, tape masking paper up to the bottom edge of the baseboards or shoe molding.

person painting trim with a paintbrush with a paint tray nearby

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

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Sand the Trim

Lightly sand the trim with a foam sanding sponge to degloss it.

Newly installed trim does not need to be sanded.

overhead view of painting materials for painting trim

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Wood filler should be sanded smooth.

Clean the Trim

Clean the trim with a dampmicrofiber cloth, especially the top edges.

For dusty or greasy trim, clean with a mixture oftrisodium phosphate(TSP) and warm water.

Preparing the Area for painting trim with tape and drop cloth

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

You should clean any dirty walls adjoining the trim to help the tape stick better.

Caulk the Trim

Cut the tip of the caulk tube at a 45-degree angle.

Run a thin bead of caulk along all edges where the trim meets walls or ceilings.

Filling Holes in the Trim with wood filler and a putty knife

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Tape the Trim

Apply a strip of painter’s tape on each side of the trim.

Bring the edge of the tape up to the edge of the trim, without touching the trim.

Brush on the Paint

Brush the first coat of paint on the trim.

Sanding the Trim with a sanding sponge

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Dip the end of the bristles in the paint rather than loading the entire brush.

Paint the trim lengthwise.

Tips for Painting Trim

It is better to brush paint on trim rather than roll it on.

Cleaning the Trim with a microfiber before painting

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

It’s usually worthwhile to sand the trim since usually just a light sanding or scuffing is required.

Glossy trim should be scuffed with sandpaper to help the paint stick better.

The general rule when painting both trimwork and walls is to paint the trim first.

Caulking the Trim before painting

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Apply two coats of paint to the trim and let it fully dry before painting the walls.

Another trimwork painting rule is to choose a color that’s different from the wall color.

Be sure to use the same color for all trim.

taping the trim before painting

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

priming trim with a paint brush

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

brushing paint on trim with a paintbrush

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Painting a Second Coat of paint on trim

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Removing Painter’s Tape from trim after painting

The Spruce / Kevin Norris