Trim and Paint Questions

[pharper]

I just finished drywall in my garage workshop. I replaced the drywall on two walls so I could insulate, install electrical, etc. The garage door wall and the wall attached to the house were left untouched. I am installing exterior grade PVC base trim and had a few questions regarding paint an order of operations.

1) Will the PVC trim take paint like any other trim? Should I even bother painting it at all, since it will be painted white?
2) Should I prime/paint the walls before even installing the trim? I'm using small bed trim at the ceiling and the roller likely wouldn't reach into the corners close enough. I don't mind cutting in, but it might take more time.
3) I was planning on doing a light grey on the walls. Any suggestions? I've read some tests where good paint/primer all in ones were doing better than even the best separate primers and paints. Both required about the same number of coats, but the all-in-ones had better adhesion and sheen retention.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[racerex]

I used PVC for my baseboard. I primed and painted the walls and ceiling, then installed the baseboard. I did not paint the baseboard....I just left it white. I used Sherwin Williams PVA primer/sealer (one coat) and their Solo (contractor exterior and interior acrylic latex paint) in semi-gloss....extra white (two coats) for the walls and ceiling. Once the baseboard was up, I caulked it and used silicon caulk to seal the joint between the baseboard and the concrete slab. I used wood trim around the windows, entry door and attic entrance. I think I used oil based primer for the wood. I primed all the wood trim before I cut and installed it. Once installed, I caulked it, filled the nail hole and painted it with the same white semi-gloss. I like the semi-gloss because it reflects the light and it's easy to clean.

 

[pharper]

Thanks racerex! You're always full of helpful information.

I have latex caulk for the baseboard to drywall and silicon for the baseboard to floor. I think I'll leave the PVC unpainted as well. I only have one door to trim, and the trim is already primed. I'll just paint it white (wood trim).

Thanks again!

 

[matt_i]

Some latex caulk seems never to dry fully, and then in the right light, all the nail fills are obvious. I think touching them up with paint afterward would help.

 

[Handyfarmer]

I painted some exterior PVC brick trim was a light brown with a white paint, last summer, and is still doing OK 6+ months, this was a oil base paint I had on hand.

I hope it Last a long time,

 

[racerex]

Some latex caulk seems never to dry fully, and then in the right light, all the nail fills are obvious. I think touching them up with paint afterward would help.

For the last 10+ years, I've been using Phenoseal caulk with great results.