Trim Painting And Trim Techniques

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Save trim painting for last but do the preparation work before you do the wall and ceiling, since the preparation is bound to create dust. Chances are the previously painted woodwork has a semi or high-gloss finish. Give it a light sanding so to ensure that the next coat will adhere properly to the old. You should also strip woodwork that is in bad condition, if it is chipped or if it has excessive layers of paint obscuring fine detail.

You can use a nontoxic paste chemical stripper which is available in hardware stores and home centers. You apply this with a brush and then scrape it off with a joint knife when the paint has softened. A heat gun is a faster way to remove old paint, but it must be used carefully. There is the danger of starting fire, scarring the wood or burning yourself. Work in a room with with a fire extinguisher and have a fireproof holder where you can set the hot gun down. Wear heavy work gloves. Holding the gun 6 inches from the paint, move it back and forth over a small area at a time. Scrape off loose paint as it bubbles up. However you strip it, sand the woodwork smooth and dust it before you paint it.

• And now let me tell you some special trim techniques. Try painting trim freehand if you have patience, a steady hand and a good chisel-edged trim brush. Otherwise, tape areas to be protected with masking tape or painter’s tape. Apply tape carefully since it will define the crispness of your edge. If the tape is to protect a wall or ceiling, use the lightly adhesive paper tape made for masking painted surfaces, applying it only on dry paint.
• To paint double-hung windows, lift them out if possible and then lay them on a flat surface. If not then just paint them in sections, raising and lowering sashes to reach all parts. Begin with sashes just slightly open to get the very top and bottom and to avoid painting them shut. While these are drying, paint as much of the muntins (pane dividers) as you can reach then do the rest of the sashes, casing, sill and apron. Raise the lower sash all the way to do the lower jambs, then lower the upper sash to reach the upper jambs. Last, paint any missed areas with the window closed.
• Use painter’s tape between muntins and window glass to minimize the time spent scraping paint off the glass later. Butt the tape as close as possible to the muntins. Alternatively, remove paint on glass with a straight-edged razor blade or a razor blade in a holder.
• And last but not least, before you paint a door, remove the knob and check to see that the door opens and closes freely and with room for the thickness of another coat of paint too. Close the door and slide a piece of cardboard between the door and the jamb all the way around. Sand spots that you cannot slide the cardboard before painting. Mask the door hinges with tape. Any paint can make hinges stiff, water based paints can cause them to rust.