Moving the ladder frequently helps you avoid the temptation to reach too far.
You may choose to paint the trim first or the walls first.
Since you will be taping both surfaces, the order is more a matter of personal preference.
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Remove Items
Take down every item on the walls and trim that is easily removable.
Tape around removable items only when removing that item may cause damage.
Lay Down Coverings
Tape the 12-inch masking paper directly up to the baseboards.
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Apply the tape to the floor.
Do this for all baseboards around the entire room.
If using builder’s paper, tape adjacent rows every few feet to prevent them from separating.
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Clean and Dry the Surfaces
Clean any surfaceto be taped that is dusty or dirty.
Painter’s tape may not stick to these surfaces.
Or, the tape might not stick well enough to prevent paint from seeping underneath.
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Not all surfaces need to be cleaned, so clean only on an as-needed basis.
To test, run a clean, light-colored cloth over surfaces.
The top edges ofbaseboards and window and door trimalways need to be cleaned.
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verify that you have enough painter’s tape.
If you’re using a tape applicator, order enough rolls in advance and have them on hand.
Ordinary 60-yard rolls of painter’s tape do not work in tape applicators.
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Most applicators use special 20-yard rolls of tape.
After the tape is secure, paint the trim.
Generally, you might apply up to two coats ofsatin, eggshell, or semi-gloss paint to taped trim.
The edge of the tape will cut the paint, leaving a sharp edge behind.
Use the utility knife to cut away the tape only as a last resort.
Doing so leaves slivers of tape that are difficult to remove, plus it can damage trim and drywall.
Let the Paint Cure
The trimpaint must be fully dried and curedbefore painting the walls.
That’s because you’ll be applying painter’s tape to the trim.
Taping the trim prematurely may rip off the paint.
Water-based paints dry and cure faster than oil-based paints.
This prevents the ceiling paint from contacting the walls.
The tape applicator works well for these long runs.
Once the walls are taped, paint the ceiling.
After a maximum of two coats of ceiling paint, remove the tape.
Then, use the tape dispenser to run from one tape corner to the next tape corner.
If you are not using pre-cut tape corners, tear the tape by hand.
Tear one piece of tape at a 45-degree angle.
Apply the tape to the ceiling, with the pointed end of the tape in the corner.
Press firmly into the corner with your finger.
Some surfaces can be stubborn to clean, especially around stoves or in bathrooms.
Usetri-sodium phosphate (TSP)or, if your community has a phosphate ban, use a TSP substitute.
Bathroom walls may not be fully dry.
Let the bathroom air out and turn on the exhaust fan and any available room fans.
For do-it-yourselfers, it’s usually best to tape the room.
For using a paint sprayer, the taping process is the same.
