Trim or Walls First? The Painting Order Experts Swear By!

Deciding should i paint the trim or the walls first can be a real head-scratcher for any homeowner embarking on a painting project. The proper painting order directly impacts the final look and efficiency. Many professional painters from organizations like Sherwin-Williams often emphasize the importance of starting with the trim, ensuring a clean look on the walls afterwards. Using tools like painter's tape effectively contributes to professional looking results, no matter the order you choose. Understanding this aspect helps avoid common mistakes, as detailed in expert guidelines often provided by Benjamin Moore.

Image taken from the YouTube channel howtopaintinfo , from the video titled What should I Paint First Walls or Trim. Do I paint walls or trim first is a common question .

Should I Paint the Trim or the Walls First? The Definitive Guide to Painting Order

Choosing the right order to paint trim and walls can significantly impact the final look of your room and the effort required. Many experienced painters follow a specific order, and understanding why can save you time and frustration. Here's a breakdown of the recommended process:

Why Trim First is Generally Recommended

The prevailing wisdom is to paint the trim before painting the walls. This is for a few key reasons relating to technique and achieving a clean, professional finish.

Dealing with Uneven Surfaces and Gaps

• Easier Masking: It's typically easier to mask off the walls to protect them from stray trim paint than vice versa. Walls are usually flat and continuous, making taping straightforward.

• Filling Gaps: Often, there are small gaps between the trim and the wall. Painting the trim first allows you to properly caulk these gaps, creating a smooth, sealed surface. The caulk can then be painted over with the trim color. If you painted the walls first, the caulk might bleed through onto the wall paint, requiring touch-ups.

The "Cut-In" Advantage

The "cut-in" technique – carefully painting along the edge of a surface – is often easier to execute on the trim.

• Controlled Application: Painting the trim first allows you to be less precise near the wall edge. Any slight overlap onto the wall can be easily covered when you paint the walls later.

Step-by-Step Painting Order: Trim, Then Walls

Here's a detailed breakdown of the process:

1. Preparation is Key:

   • Clean Surfaces: Thoroughly clean both the trim and the walls. Remove dust, dirt, and grease. Use a damp cloth with mild detergent for walls, and consider a stronger cleaner for trim, especially if it's in a kitchen or bathroom.
   • Sanding: Sand any glossy trim to create a better surface for the primer and paint to adhere to.
   • Caulking: Caulk any gaps between the trim and the wall, and along trim joints. Let the caulk dry completely before painting.

2. Priming (Important for New or Stained Trim):

   • Apply a primer to the trim, especially if it's bare wood, has been stained, or is a different color than your intended trim paint. Primer helps the paint adhere better and provides a uniform surface. Let the primer dry completely.

3. Painting the Trim:

   • Apply one or two coats of paint to the trim, allowing each coat to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Masking the Trim:

   • Use painter's tape to carefully mask off the trim, protecting it from the wall paint. Ensure the tape is firmly pressed down to prevent paint bleed-through.

5. Painting the Walls:

   • Apply one or two coats of paint to the walls, allowing each coat to dry completely.

6. Removing the Tape:

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   • Carefully remove the painter's tape while the paint is still slightly wet, reducing the chance of chipping the dried paint.

When to Consider Walls First (The Exception)

While trim first is generally the best approach, there are some scenarios where painting the walls first might be acceptable:

• Same Color Walls and Trim: If you're painting both the walls and trim the exact same color, the order is less critical. You can paint whichever surface is easier for you to access first.

• Experienced Painters: Highly skilled painters with very steady hands might be able to achieve clean lines on the trim even after the walls are painted. However, even professionals often prefer trim first for the best results.

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Understanding the Impact of Different Paint Types

The type of paint you use can influence the ease of cleaning up mistakes.

Using latex paint makes cleaning up minor overlaps much easier, but the fundamental principles of painting trim first still apply to ensure the most professional-looking results.

Video: Trim or Walls First? The Painting Order Experts Swear By!

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So, now you know the secrets! Figuring out should i paint the trim or the walls first doesn't have to be a mystery anymore. Get those brushes ready and happy painting!