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Guide to Paint Baseboards and Moldings

Interior trim painting such as door frames and window casings along with crown moldings ensures fresh and neat outlook of your room. Same is the case when it involves painting baseboards. The same idea holds true for baseboards. Baseboards, can undoubtedly get dirty and scraped up because of their closeness to the ground and all the grime that gathers there. Painting your baseboards is extraordinary compared to other restorative upgrades you can make in a room, and it just requires a day or two.



What to Paint?

Latex (water-based) paints are best suitable for baseboards because they can be cleaned up easily however, you can also use oil based (alkyd) paints as well. There are several options available for glossy levels either for oil paints or latex. Although glossy finish is generally preferred for baseboards because it is impervious to scuffing and is washable as compared to flat finish paint. A basic painting task is moderately an easy approach to spruce up your baseboards and improve the general look of your living hood. Peruse this manual to figure out how to handily paint the baseboards in your home.


As inscribed above, start by choosing either water-based or oil-based paint. Alkyd paint will in general hold up well and requires just one coat, while latex paint is less poisonous and dries more rapidly. Choosing a shinier sheen than what's on the walls, improves the prominence of the molding.


Paint brush and other equipment:

If you choose to apply latex paint, then you should always use nylon or even a poly-nylon combination paint brush for best results. In case you have opted to paint alkyd then you must use a natural bristle brush. An angled brush of about two or two and half in size is preferably a good option for baseboard painting application. In addition to this you may also require a plastic sheet, a drop cloth, a damp cloth, vacuum and a painter’s tape along with a putty knife. You might need spackling material and as well as a sandpaper subject to the condition of your baseboard. Spackling paste or spackling compound is made of gypsum powder and binders and is generally used to fill up small holes, cracks and other imperfections like dents in the baseboards.


Get set Paint:

Always begin the activity by taping down a plastic sheet or laying a piece of cloth on the floor to protect the room’s flooring. Following this, search for any large dings or prominent nicks. Make sure to scrap away any flakes, loose paint and take a look at the baseboards to see if there are any noticeable nicks or large dings. Scrape away any loose, flaking paint and fix gouged-out regions with a spackling compound, and afterward sand the region finely with a sandpaper. Do not forget to vacuum the baseboards and nearby flooring. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the baseboards, eliminating all the dirt and dust particles. Let the area dry completely before starting the proceedings.


Painter's tape ought to be applied along the two edges of the baseboard Painter’s tape should be applied along both edges of the baseboard—where it meets the wall, and where it meets the floor. If you’re concerned about getting paint on the wall, select a wider tape. Get the tape as close to the trim as possible, without overlapping it.


Apply painter’s tape along the edges of the baseboard where it adjoins the wall, and where it meets the floor. In case you're worried about getting paint on the wall, choose a wider tape. Attach the tape as close to the trim as possible without overlapping it. If you have a carpeted floor, the hack is to apply tape between the molding and carpet. Make sure the tape properly adheres to the carpet without furling up. As you apply the tape, leave almost a quarter of inch beyond the carpet so it slightly covers the baseboard. But don not stick the tape on the baseboard. Push the tape down, getting it into the fissure between the divider and the edge of the rug by using a putty knife.


Before you start painting, please ensure that the paint in the container is thoroughly mixed and stirred. Cover the bristles of paint about halfway to load it, then gently tap them against the inner lip of the can to remove any residual paint. Always start your activity, by painting the baseboard in the corner of the room. Move your hand in horizontal pattern, as oppose to brushing up and down. In case the paint drips accidently or splashes on the floor, wipe it off immediately using a damp cloth before it dries out. If you ought to apply a high-gloss, latex paint, apply two coats, three if needed, allowing the paint to dry for at least a day between each layer.


Before applying additional coats, slightly scuff up the painted surface with sandpaper to give it some texture, in order to help fresh layer of paint adhere better.


Once the paint has dried, remove the painter’s tape. Ensure the room isn't excessively cold or warm when you do this, as colder temperature may deliver the tape weak and hard to eliminate, and unnecessary warmth may make the tape's glue leave a sticky buildup on the painted surface. To abstain from cracking the paint layer or having it get peeled up alongside the tape, hold the sharp edge of a putty knife flat against the wall, slip it under the tape, and run it along the edge to isolate the tape from the paint, taking consideration to not scratch the wall. Cautiously scrape off the tape angled at a degree, to reveal a neat line.



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