Paint walls or trim first?

[maa139]

Lets say that your garage looked exactly like my family room. I just finished painting the ceiling. The question that I have is should the walls be painted before the trim or should the trim be painted first?

Another hypothetical...Any tips for painting the trim without painting the rug?

BTW, this is sort of garage related as my family room shares a wall with my garage!

Thanks in advance...

Matt

 

[The Stig]

prime the walls 1st, then prep the trim, paint the trim/doors, then paint the walls...the reasoning behind that is that is much easier to "cut" the wall paint into the trim paint

 

[Homebody]

I've always done the trim last. For a really nice job, take the trim off to paint/stain it.

 

[rsanter]

I paint the trim and then cut the wall paint to the trim. if I make a goof and get wall paint on the trim you can quickly wipe the paint off the trim and go again.

bob

 

[Jononon]

The way I've been taught, and always done it, is:

Ceiling>walls>trim

because then you're working from the top down, maximising drying time, and the highest quality finish is done last. If some items only need one coat, you should still retain the same order.

That is a bit unforgiving, because trim paint on wall paint doesn't wipe off, but it does result in absolutely spotless gloss on the trim.

 

[rickairmedic]

I agree ceiling , walls then trim also the best way I ever found to keep paint off the carpet was to take a couple pieces of vinyl siding trim off the top edge that would normally catch the next row of siding if you were actually putting it up . Then lay down your painters tarps and finally shove the siding under the base molding clean easy and not alot of having to move around on your hands and knees .

Rick

 

[trovato]

I use a paint shield to protect carpet. It looks kind of like this:

http://paint-and-supplies.hardwares...ds-and-guides/allway-paint-shield-262519.aspx

 

[russlaferrera]

All good reasons to paint from the top down.

IMO the type of paint has to be considered before you paint the trim.

If the trim is to be stained. I would do that first. Then poly/varnish to seal it. When I paint the ceiling and the walls, I can wipe the paint off the trim.

If the trim has been stained/painted. I would paint the ceiling , the walls then the trim.

Paint on the carpet I use plastic covered with HF painters canvas. The plastic ensures no paint goes on the rug. The canvas eliminates me tripping and tracking spilled paint. I use a plastic edger tool to cut out the trim and a large wallpaper straight edge for between the trim and the rug.

This system has worked for me for many many years. Keep this in mind when reading this post. I am a very very poor painter. I think house painting ***** I am too cheap to have it done.

Use the best paint you can afford...so you will not ever have to do it again. Never ever pick the color.... trust me on this.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Just slide some Manila envelopes under the trim to protect the carpet Three or four will be more then enough just keep moving them.
________
discuss vaporizers

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Plastic bags and thier uses's.

Put a your paint roller pan in a trash bag. Pour the paint into the lined pan. When your done take the pan out of the bag and through the bag away. walla no clean up of the pan.

If you need to take a break from painting. Put your roller in a bag and put it in the fridge. (Handle and all if just for a few hours. Take the handle off using the bag to keep your hands clean for longer periods) It will keep for week easy this way. If you need a longer break put it in the freezer. It will keep for months that way. Just be sure to seal the bag up good. (I like the bags the news paper come in on rainy days for this.) Brushes don't fair as well in the fridge fro some reason.

Brush care.
If taking a brake for a short period (lunch) wrap your brush in a wet rag. You should stop every couple of hours to clean you brush. It keeps the paint that's made it's way up the bristles from drying to hard.
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trichomes pictures

 

[Scottz5]

prime the walls 1st, then prep the trim, paint the trim/doors, then paint the walls...the reasoning behind that is that is much easier to "cut" the wall paint into the trim paint

better for the dyi person i believe

 

[maa139]

better for the dyi person i believe

Agreed. I just finished the first coat on the trim. I'll put a second coat on the trim later tonight, and then do the walls over the weekend....

Thanks for all of the advice. I appreciate it.

Matt

BTW, painting ***** and I can't wait to be done and have my couch back in here!

 

[The Stig]

better for the dyi person i believe

sorry, im a professional paint and wallpaper contractor