The Tricks to Painting Baseboards

Your baseboards, trim and windows are the most common areas for stains, nicks and damage. Because these areas are touched and moved often chipping and cracking can occur. A touch up of paint to your baseboards will instantly freshen the look of your room. The experts told us their tricks to painting baseboards.

It is up to you whether you choose latex or oil-based paints. The latex, or water-based) are easier to clean up. Both offer different gloss levels to suit your style. It is recommended that you use at least a slightly glossy finish to protect the paint. It’s resistant to dings and scuffs and will be more easily washed than flat paint.

If you are looking for professional interior painting services, contact us today for a free estimate. We can assist with baseboards, wainscoting, crown molding, and other interior painting projects.

Remove the Baseboards?

When painting your baseboards, there are two methods. The first is to tape and drop cloth the areas around the boards. Most homeowners choose this method. Taping off the boards takes some time, and you still must be careful when painting, but it is a viable option for a good outcome.

Especially with newer homes that haven’t been painted several times, removing the baseboards for painting could be as easy as slipping a pry bar behind it. In many cases, if this is an option, the results will be more precise and take less time. Some damage is expected when you replace the baseboards, but it’s nothing a minor touch up can’t fix.

Older homes with years of layers of paint in the baseboard to wall joint could make the baseboard impossible to remove. The boards themselves could be more fragile as well, and catastrophic damage can occur.

Here are the directions to paint baseboards in place.

Clean

First, you’ll need to do a very thorough job cleaning the baseboards. Because they are at the bottom of walls, they are a collection area for grime and dust. Use a mixture of TSP, according to the directions on the package and wipe the baseboards with a sponge. Allow ample time for it to dry before you move on.

Mask around the board

Use a masking tape or painter’s tape to tape off the edge of the baseboard against the wall. Professionals recommend using a putty knife to seal the tape down tight against the baseboard. Even though you have put tape down. You’ll still need to be careful painting. The tape is not completely fail-safe.

Some painters like to freehand their work on baseboards. A cut-in technique is possible but very difficult when it comes to baseboards. The bottom of the board is butted against the floor and you run the risk of painting your flooring.

Gouges and Nail Marks

Before you start the paint the boards, use a flashlight or headlamp and seek out dings, holes and nail marks on your baseboard. Using wood filler, address any imperfections that are bigger than a pin point. Give the filler time to set before you begin to paint.

Prime

Since baseboards are typically raw wood or previously painted, it’s a good idea to start with a layer of primer. This will allow the trim color to show up more brilliant and the paint to adhere better to the boards. Use horizontal strokes and paint a thin layer on the baseboards. Do not overload the brush or put too much on.

Paint

Once the primer is dried, use the same technique to begin painting your baseboards. You’ll want to use long horizontal strokes to avoid leaving brush marks in the paint. To avoid slippage, paint a thin coat to begin. If the color needs it, put another layer on after it fully dries, normally 24 hours.

Clean up

Wait for the paint to completely and thoroughly dry before you try to remove the painter’s tape. Professionals will tell you to use a box cutter to loosen the tape from the baseboard before you pull it off. This will lessen the likelihood it sticks and yield better results. Use soap and water to clean your brush and seal the can of paint tightly.