a man on a step ladder holding a paint brush

How to Paint Trim Near Montclair, NJ

Painting trims–baseboards, moldings, window frames, and doors - can significantly impact the overall look of your room. Trim can enhance the color of the walls and draw attention to intricate moldings and other details in the room. Painting trim can be more complicated than you think, so our paint pros at Red Star Paint are breaking down how to paint trim to get expert results from your DIY paint project.

Use the Proper Tools

No paint job ends well if you don’t start with the right tools. These can include:

  • Drop cloths
  • Painter’s tape for clean edges
  • 2” angled brush and detail brushes
  • Semi-gloss paint
  • Dust rags
  • Stir sticks

Prep the Area

Begin by applying painter’s tape around the edge of the walls where it meets the trim to help protect your walls from paint drips. Place several drop cloths in the area where you’ll be painting to keep your furniture and floors paint-free. Also, make sure to thoroughly wipe any dust from the trim surface, especially if it’s molding with grooves.

Prep the Paint and Brush

Always stir paint with a stir stick before using to minimize air bubbles and ensure the color is evenly mixed. Load the top ⅓ of the brush with paint. Avoid overloading the brush with paint, as this will make the brush harder to control while painting. Tap both sides of the brush gently on the paint can, and wipe bristles along the side to remove excess product.

Paint Carefully

With light pressure, apply paint in a single, even stroke in one direction across the broadest part of the trim. Speed is not your friend while painting trim, so work slowly to ensure the smoothest application.

Unsightly brush marks can be avoided by starting subsequent strokes on a dry area and painting toward the wet paint. You can also use your brush to feather the edge into a previously painted area to maintain smooth, even coverage from one stroke to the next. Finish up by lightly brushing paint across the just-painted spot in the reverse direction.

Touch Up

Allow the first coat to dry completely - a few hours at least - before looking for any areas with uneven paint. Once you’re satisfied with the result, remove the painter’s tape, and let the trim dry for at least 24 hours before moving on to the walls.

Why Use Semi-Gloss Finish?

Semi-gloss is the most popular sheen for trim as it provides a stunning contrast to the lower sheen, often eggshell, of most interior walls. This contrast gives your room more visual interest and allows your trim to stand out against the larger area of the walls.

Contact Us

Is it time to elevate the appearance of the trim in rooms of your home? We proudly carry premium Benjamin Moore paint, and we’re the area’s premier Hunter Douglas window treatments dealer. Our designers would love to help you create a whole-whole decor solution. Stop by and see us in Montclair, NJ. We are happy to serve the surrounding areas, including Montclair, Glen Ridge, Livingston, and Bloomfield, NJ.

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