If your trim is looking drab and tired, a fresh coat of paint might be just the thing. With a few simple steps, you can paint everything from window and door casings to baseboards, crown molding, and stair railings.

The paint you choose can have a big impact on the final look and durability of your trim. Oil-based and modern latex paints are the most popular options. If your cabinets are looking tired, or you just don’t like the way they fit into the style of your kitchen, ask the expert painters from Damian’s Painting for help.

Primer
A paint primer serves to create a strong bond between a top coat of paint and a surface. This is especially important for trim and molding, where the surface may be exposed to moisture, humidity and wear and tear.

There are a number of different primers to choose from, depending on your specific painting needs and preferences. They’re formulated to provide a firm base for paint and come in alkyd or oil-based formulations.

To determine which primer is right for you, consider your trim’s needs, your desired finish and your budget. Look for a product that will allow you to apply multiple coats without sacrificing the quality of your paint job.

For example, if your trim is made of stained wood, use a stain-blocking primer to prevent the color from showing through your paint. This will help keep your trim looking its best for longer.

When choosing a primer, be sure to check the product’s pigment content and PVC (pigment volume concentration) rating. Higher PVC products are typically designed to hide the substrate while lower PVC products will provide more penetration.

Most interior trim and moldings come pre-primed, but if you’re painting new molding or wood that hasn’t been painted in a long time, it’s still a good idea to apply a primer to ensure that your new paint lasts as long as possible.

A primer will also improve the look of your finished paint. It helps prevent cracking and fading, and it will brighten the colors of your paint.

Ideally, prime your trim and molding with the same brand of paint you’re using to complete the rest of the project. It’s important to choose a paint that has a satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss finish for the best results.

Your local True Value hardware store’s Certified Color Experts can recommend the perfect trim and molding paint based on your preferences, so you can enjoy a fresh-looking home for years to come!

Once your trim has been primed, fill the small scratches and divots in the wood with wood filler. This will help the new paint adhere better and fill in minor imperfections. If your trim has a lot of damage, such as knots or resin pockets, it’s also a good idea to spot-prime these areas before applying a coat of primer to the entire trim and molding. Once these areas dry, sand them lightly to smooth them out.

Paint
If you’re deciding to paint trim, you have a variety of paint options to choose from. It’s best to pick a finish that will provide the greatest durability and clean-up.

Sheen is also important to consider. You can choose from flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss sheens.

Flat, eggshell and satin paints have a velvety look and are the best choice to hide wall imperfections. However, they aren’t as durable or easy to clean as glossier paints.

You can also use a paint with a sheen that will make your trim stand out. The most popular option is a semi-gloss finish, which can “pop” any trim color and make it easier to keep clean.

High-gloss paints are another popular option for trim. They can add a shine to your walls and trim, but they are harder to apply. They can also show brush marks and scuffs.

Using water-based, acrylic or oil paints in sheens from satin to high gloss is a great way to create a smooth, durable surface. Water-based and acrylic paints dry faster, are less odorous, and offer easier cleanup after they’re applied.

If you want to avoid the smell of latex, you can also choose an oil-based interior trim paint. This type of paint is extra durable, able to resist mold and mildew.

For an added layer of protection, use painters tape to cover the entire area around the trim and moldings. This will help to prevent paint from bleeding under the tape onto neighboring walls and ceilings.

To make trim painting a quick and efficient job, you can use a small, high-density foam roller. This will reduce the amount of time you spend on each section of trim and molding.

You can also use a small, angled paintbrush to paint your trim and moldings. This brush can be used for laying-off strokes, as well as smoothing out the paint to create a flawless finish.

Once you’ve painted your trim and moldings, be sure to wipe away any excess paint with a damp cloth. This will ensure your new paint adheres properly and looks good for years to come.

Laying-Off Strokes
The laying-off stroke is one of the most important parts of any trim or molding painting job. It is a technique that hides roller marks and gives your paint a smooth and consistent finish. It also helps avoid leaving streaky brush strokes on your walls, doors and other areas of your home.

It’s crucial to start laying off your paint while it’s still wet, and it’s best to do it in sections. Ideally, you should begin at the top left corner of your ceiling and roll gently down to the bottom, using almost zero pressure.

Next, make a series of long vertical strokes moving in one direction, left or right, up the full length of your wall. This step is called “laying off” because it distributes the wet paint across the surface in a nice even layer.

This can be done with either a sash brush or a laying-off brush, which is designed specifically for laying off rather than applying paint. Laying-off brushes usually feature thinner bundles of synthetic bristles alongside finely tipped ends that are less likely to bunch up during the laying off process, thus reducing the risk of individual brush strokes appearing on your walls.

For a more even application, you can also use a brush with a wider handle and slightly longer bristles. For example, the Prestige Pure Synthetic laying-off brush manufactured by Hamilton features a narrower bundle of synthetic bristles with finely tipped ends, making it ideal for this task.

Another advantage to this type of brush is that it allows you to get more paint into smaller areas than with a sash brush. This makes it easier to cover small spaces quickly, which is a plus for those who prefer speed over precision.

Whether you are using a sash brush or a painting brush, apply a few quick back-and-forth strokes to smooth out the paint. You can then add more paint to the sash brush and lay off the extra paint in a short, parallel stroke.

The most important tip to remember when laying off your paint is that you should always start with an unpainted area and work toward painted ones, and that you should always brush off the surface in the beginning of each stroke. This will keep your paint even and smooth from one stroke to the next, and it will prevent your paint from drying unevenly.

Brushing
Painting trim — baseboards, crown molding, window frames and door casings — is a great way to add character and color to your home. It can also enhance the wall color of the room. To make your job as easy and successful as possible, use the right paint and brushing techniques.

For a smooth, flawless finish, use an angled brush with a size that fits the width of your trim. Avoid using brushes that are wider than the width of your trim, which can be difficult to control and cause streaks or splatters in other areas.

Trim brushing is a great option for narrow details like corners, narrow baseboards, and crown molding that aren’t easily reached with a roller. The shape of the brush will help you get into those small areas without having to rely on your arms too much.

When choosing a brush for trim work, consider the bristle material, length of the bristles, and handle shape. Natural bristles are best for oil and solvent-based paints, while synthetic bristles are best for water-based and latex paints.

The brush’s handle can be made from wood or acrylic, depending on the painter’s preference. For trimming, the ferrule and crimp are less important features.

To start trim painting, dip no more than an inch of the angled brush into the paint and wipe away any excess. Apply short stokes to cover a few feet of trim, then repeat this trim-painting technique with another section until all your trim is painted.

Next, paint with the grain of the wood. This will ensure a smooth, even surface that’s free of brushstrokes and drips.

After applying all the paint, take a short break to allow it to dry. After drying, brush on a coat of primer or undercoat. Then, once the primer is completely dry, finish with your chosen paint.

Brushing can be a tedious process, but it offers a higher level of control and finish quality when you paint your trim. For many homeowners, this is the best option. It’s also a great choice for areas with delicate details and smaller surfaces.