Look closely at the line where your wall meets the floor. Scuffed baseboards or dated trim can make a room feel worn out—and you don’t have to live with it, or pay for replacement. Learning how to paint trim is a satisfying weekend project: it costs little, and the payoff is visible every day.
Like most good paint jobs, this one lives or dies by prep. Take your time with the first few steps and the rest is easy.
What You’ll Need
- Drop cloths and painter’s tape
- TSP substitute (a mild, phosphate-free cleaner)
- Wood filler and paintable caulk
- Putty knife
- Sanding sponge (150–220 grit)
- Tack cloth or lint-free rag
- Interior primer; choose a bonding primer (made for glossy surfaces) if the trim is varnished
- Interior satin or semi-gloss paint
- 2-inch angled sash brush
Step-by-Step
- Clean. Dust and grease keep paint from adhering, so wipe the trim with a TSP substitute mixed according to package directions (or warm, soapy water). Rinse with a damp cloth and let dry for at least an hour.
- Fill and caulk. Patch nail holes and dents with wood filler, using a putty knife. Where the trim meets the wall or floor, run a thin bead of paintable caulk and smooth it with a damp finger. Let everything dry fully—about one to two hours.
- Sand. Lightly scuff filled spots and any glossy areas with a fine sanding sponge. Wipe away dust with a tack cloth or a barely damp rag.
- Tape. Lay down drop cloths and press painter’s tape against the wall and floor edges. Pressing the edges down well is what prevents that annoying “bleed” under the tape.
- Prime. Apply a thin, even coat of interior primer with your brush. Let it dry completely (look for one to two hours on the label), then sand very lightly and wipe clean again. For old, shiny or varnished trim, a bonding primer is your friend.
- Paint. Load your brush about one-third of the way up the bristles and tap off the excess. Sweep the brush in long, smooth strokes along the length of the trim. Let the first coat dry at least two hours, then add a second coat where any color or wood shows through.
- Remove tape on time. The key to crisp edges is pulling the tape while the paint is still wet. Do this right after your final coat, and pull it slowly toward yourself at a 45-degree angle.
🖌️ Note: Two thin coats are better than one thick one. Thick paint sags and forms drips that ruin all your careful work.
If your trim was painted before 1978, have it tested for lead before you sand. Other than that, this job only asks for patience. Start with the trim in one room, step back when it’s done, and you’ll be surprised by how much better the whole space looks.
Related Terms:
- How to Paint Trim baseboards
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