How to Prepare Trim and Doors Before Painting
Preparing Trim and Doors Before Painting
If you have trim and doors in your home where you notice that paint is not holding up well, whether it’s peeling or easily chipping off, likely it was not well prepped before painting. Prepping trim and doors before painting is a crucial step that should not be overlooked. It not only improves the quality and durability of the paint job but also contributes to a professional and long-lasting finish.
Although prep work may seem time-consuming, it actually saves time during the painting process. Properly prepped surfaces allow the paint to go on smoothly and evenly, requiring fewer coats and touch-ups, which ultimately speeds up the painting timeline. So let’s get started preparing to paint!
8 Steps to Prepare Trim and Doors for Paint
Cover the floor with anti-slip drop cloths. Before we start any job involving painting, we always put down drop cloths to protect the flooring/areas from paint drips and debris…and prevent slips and falls. We prefer drop cloths with an anti-slip bottom such as CoverGrip. These can often be found at your local paint store.
Clean the surface. This is a very simple but important step. Any hand oil, debris or dirt that is left on the trim or doors will really wreak havoc on your finished product. Wipe the entire surface down with cleaner - we like to use Simple Green or in really dirty situations, Spray Nine works well.
Patch holes or dents. Check the trim and doors for repairs needed such as nails holes and dents. Use a light-weight spackle such as 3M Interior Spackle to repair these areas and bring your trim and doors back to their original state.
Sand entire area. While this is the most tedious preparation step, it offers great rewards! Why sand? If the existing paint is glossy and smooth, without sanding the paint does not have anything to adhere to. Sanding smoothes the surface while creating tiny grooves that the paint can fill in and adhere to. Remember to sand in the direction of the grain of the wood. Again, this ensures the finished product is as smooth as it can be after painting. We prefer using 120 or 150 grit sand paper. A sanding block can also be helpful for doors and long pieces of trim.
Thoroughly vacuum all trim and doors. It is critical the area you are about to paint is clean from any sand, dust and debris. If you attempt to paint an area that is not clean, you will see all the debris on your freshly painted surface and the paint may not adhere properly.
Caulk openings between trim and wall. Caulk your openings along the edge where your trim meets the wall. We like to use Big Stretch or Sherwin Williams 1050QD (quick dry). Proper technique of caulking is critical to make sure the caulk lines are crisp and do not impede any more on the wall than they need to.
Prepare your paintbrush. There is no “one size, fits all” for paint brushes. Choose a paintbrush you are comfortable with that feels good in your hand. Our favorite paintbrush brand is the Purdy. Keep in mind, the wider the brush, the more paint it can hold and will cover more ground when you are painting. To prepare your paint brush, dampen your brush. Run it under a faucet to get the brush wet, and spin it out to dry. The reason why we do this is the water absorbs into the bristles so that when you dip it into the paint, the paint does not absorb into the bristles … making it harder to clean the brush later.
Prepare the paint. Open up the paint can and stir the paint with a paddle (often provided by the paint store). Count on 3-5 minutes to thoroughly mix the paint. After the paint is mixed, pour 1-2 inches into your paint bucket. When you put the lid back on the paint can, make sure the lip is clean, otherwise the lid will not seal properly.
You are now ready to start painting! Well-prepped trim and doors lead to a more professional-looking outcome. By taking the time to sand, clean, and prime the surfaces, you can achieve a flawless finish that not only enhances the overall aesthetic of the room, but it reduces the need for frequent maintenance touch-ups or repainting in the future!