Painting trim white is a popular and easy way to make any room stand out, with its origins dating back to the Renaissance. Trim has been used in various architectural styles, including Italian, French, English, Hispanic, and American. The process involves gathering supplies, cleaning the trim for a fresh slate, filling in nicks and nail holes, sanding surfaces, masking off all trim with tape and tarp, and starting painting.
Choosing from multiple colors across multiple Sherwin-Williams collections is essential for most home painting projects. Rachelle of Originally Worn provides a step-by-step guide for painting wood trim, including baseboards, crown molding, door frames, window casing, and more. To achieve flawless results, use high-quality paint, tools, and pro tips.
To paint stained wood trim white without sanding, follow these steps: lightly sand the trim, apply painters tape around it, apply the first coat of primer with a brush or roller, and remove doors or other hardware. Prepare the wood trim by removing doors or other hardware, tape around it, and apply oil-based primer.
For those looking to paint wood trim without sanding, DIY Decor Mom shares her step-by-step instructions and material list for painting wood trim white. Prime the trim twice with zincsser bulls eye, waiting 24 hours between each coat to allow any staining from the old clearcoat to seal inside the primer. Overall, painting trim white is a great way to update the look of your home and add a touch of elegance to your interiors.
📹 DIY How to Paint Wood Trim
In this DIY I show you how I paint wood trim. I am in no way a professional but this method works very well for me and I have been …
Do I need to prime wood trim before painting?
To paint a trim, use a high-quality primer, even if it hasn’t been painted before. The paint and primer in one options are great for walls, but a dedicated primer is recommended for trims that will see significant wear and tear. If the trim already has paint, a separate coat of primer is only needed in certain circumstances, such as when changing color dramatically, using latex paint over oil-based paint, or if the existing paint is in bad shape. To test the paint, soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and test the existing paint with a cotton ball.
If the existing paint is in bad shape, scrape away any loose paint, fill holes with wood filler and sand, and priming before priming. Glidden’s Premium Interior Paint Primer is recommended for this purpose.
Does white trim need primer?
To paint a trim, use a high-quality primer, even if it hasn’t been painted before. The paint and primer in one options are great for walls, but a dedicated primer is recommended for trims that will see significant wear and tear. If the trim already has paint, a separate coat of primer is only needed in certain circumstances, such as when changing color dramatically, using latex paint over oil-based paint, or if the existing paint is in bad shape. To test the paint, soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and test the existing paint with a cotton ball.
If the existing paint is in bad shape, scrape away any loose paint, fill holes with wood filler and sand, and priming before priming. Glidden’s Premium Interior Paint Primer is recommended for this purpose.
How do you prepare interior wood trim for painting?
To clean a trim, sand the surface, wipe away dust, fill in holes, dents, and cracks with a lightweight spackling compound, and lightly sand the spackled areas using 120-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth to remove any sanding dust. If the trim is new or smooth, lightly sand 120-grit until shine disappears. If rough or worn, start with coarse 80-grit sandpaper and gradually move to less-coarse sandpaper. Dust off walls and ceiling to ensure painter’s tape adheres well.
Do you paint trim or walls first?
Painting trim before walls is generally recommended to protect wood and leave a pleasing shine. Using high-quality semi-gloss paint, paint the trim along the perimeter of the room with a 2 ½ in. angled brush, then use a ⅜” nap roller to paint the ceiling from one end to the other. If a second coat is needed, roll the paint in the opposite direction. It’s advisable to cut in one room at a time and roll out the wall while the cut-in paint is still wet to avoid a visible line. Paint along the edges of trim and baseboards and the entire ceiling perimeter.
What happens if you don’t sand wood before painting?
Sanding cabinets before painting is crucial for removing existing paint or finish, as cabinets may accumulate multiple layers over time, affecting the surface’s appearance and smoothness. Sanding removes these layers, ensuring a clean slate for the new paint to adhere to. Direct painting over old paint or finish without sanding may result in poor paint adhesion or a poor finish. Sanding also smooths out imperfections and uneven surfaces, such as nicks, dents, or scratches, creating a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing surface.
Sanding is a way to prepare cabinets for a flawless paint job, addressing any unevenness, bumps, or rough spots that would otherwise be visible through the paint. This creates a smoother canvas for the paint, resulting in a more professional and refined appearance.
What kind of paint do you use on interior wood trim?
The paint sheen used for interior trim affects the level of light reflected off the finish. The most common and best sheen is a satin or semi-gloss finish. Satin paints have a medium sheen and are durable and easy to clean, while semi-gloss paints have a higher sheen and stand out in a room. If you prefer a lower sheen or want to paint walls and trim the same color and sheen, use a satin paint finish. This is especially recommended for areas with imperfections in drywall. A full skim coat or “Level 5” finish can be done, but it can be expensive and not suitable for most applications.
Can I paint over wood trim without sanding?
Paint over wood trim without sanding it, as long as it’s clean and deglossed. If you’re satisfied with the current trim design, use the correct technique and paint it in any desired color. When selecting paint, consider type, sheen, color, and brand. Shinier paints are more durable and hold up better over time. Semigloss offers a classic look and is easily wipeable. Satin paint offers a contemporary look with a matte finish and is durable. Satin trim painting is a great option for those who prefer a more contemporary look.
What kind of paint do you use on white interior trim?
Selecting the right trim paint finish is crucial for a cohesive and visually appealing home. Semi-gloss is the best finish for trim due to its ease of cleaning, durability, and ability to reflect light. White trim is ideal for bold or deep-saturated rooms, offering a focal point. Consistency in trim color throughout a home unifies the space, even if there are differences in wall color. The tone on tone look is a simple choice, with four white trim colors (Fresh Kicks, Snow Day, Whipped, and Timeless) all looking great when paired with wall paint in the same hue. When choosing the right trim paint, consider the color combination to create a monochromatic look that complements your space.
Do I need to prime wood before painting white?
If you don’t prime bare wood before painting, it will look blotchy and peel in two or three years. This is because the paint absorbs unevenly on the woodwork, making it difficult to bind the topcoat to the surface. It’s essential to sand and use primer when painting over any previously stained surface. Stain is a different product than paint, designed to penetrate wood surfaces, allowing natural wood grain to show through. Paint is designed to sit on top of wood surfaces, so priming is recommended when painting bare wood.
It’s not recommended to use paint or primer when coating a deck floor, as normal house paint isn’t designed to withstand foot traffic and the deck surface will likely continue to peel year after year.
Can I paint wood white without sanding?
To paint old painted furniture without sanding, use a Deglosser to prep for new paint. If the existing paint is water-based, you can repaint it with whatever you like. However, if the current paint is oil-based and you plan to update it with water-based, you may need to take steps to prevent the paint from peeling. Oil resists water, while water does not. It’s essential to note that oil does not resist water.
How do you paint white trim without brush marks?
To paint your trim a dark color, consult Ring’s End sales team for an even finish. Apply a thin primer coat to every trim surface, starting at the top and working down. Use long, smooth strokes to avoid brush marks. For flat trim, use a small roller for faster application. The primer may not completely hide the underneath, but it is designed to hide stains and provide adhesion for the topcoat. Allow the primer to dry completely before proceeding.
Sand the primer to catch drips and imperfections, creating a smoother base for a high-end appearance. Apply the first coat of paint in 2-3 foot sections, starting with a clean brush and tapping both sides against the paint tin or pail. Be careful not to overload or overbrush.
📹 How to Paint Old Wood Trim with Varnish on It | Ask This Old House
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique teaches a homeowner some techniques to paint old 1960s wood trim with a varnish …
This was helpful, just painted all my red oak trim white and got some great tips. I used crud cutter to clean off all the build up and a scraper to get the crud off. Used a primer from valspar made for trim and cabinets. Sanded them with 220 sander before the primer. Did have some bleed through from the tannins in the wood, so tried a few different primers with the same issue but the valspar one went on more smoothly so went back to that. Used Sherman Williams emerald enamel based trim and cabinet paint and that stopped all the bleed through problems. The only thing I would suggest is a 2″ roller. Made the priming and painting go on so quickly and smoothly. Thanks for taking the time to make it article. It’s very helpful for learning the right way to paint wood trim!
Thank you AliciaLynn. My early 80’s built 2 bedroom condo is very dated “late 70’s” dark stained trim and windows in all the rooms. Gonna spend the time and paint all semi gloss white. Then painting the walls a light grayish tone. This will update the look of my condo especially with the new matching living room furniture. Every room, ceiling, walls and dark stained wood trim is getting painted. Way to dated and sick of it.
I think the paints meant specifically for trim may cover and wear a bit better. I’m about to start all my word work as well, so I appreciate the “how to”. I’m perusal many article’s and picking up good portions of the process from all. Your trim looks great, and you’re a saint to do it over in each of your new homes! What a trooper!
I’m attempting to paint an older wood trim that I’m not too sure if it’s got stain or not but it’s your typical wood trim in like every older sort of cheaply made home..dark dark, I hate it, but it doesn’t really have any shine to it, thinking that since it’s so old, the stain or varnish is just worn off.. so idk, I think I’m going to be sanding it regardless just to make sure cus I don’t want to have to do all this prep crap again, jusy clearing out the room and area was a two day process, so this is getting done right the first time so it’s the only time,lol. I’m wondering if there’s any chance I can get away with not using a primer? Or if there’s a cheap primer,idk, I’m already using handy down paint from a friend’s remodeling job, and I don’t have any money to buy anything new or more of, but I’ve got a lot of white paint.. I’m mixing it with a little black to try and get it to cover better, but it’s srill extremely white, can’t tell at all I added black to it, but ide heard it helps the white paint have better coverage. Idk. I’m thinking the primer is kind of a necessary step with covering this dark wood trim,I really wish it wasn’t,idk how I’m going ti get a primer, I’ve asked everyone I know of they have any extra or left overs primer paint and no one has it. Going ti check a little store we have here in my town that’s like a donation based household goods hardware thrift store, has all sorts of paints, but I am hoping they have a gallon or even half gallon of a primer for under 5 bucks cus that’s really all I’m able ti scrounge up at this moment.
I like white painted interior trim. My house has stained interior trim and white painted doors. But I’m not sure if white painted interior trim will look right on my house. Or maybe I’m afraid that I can’t produce a professional looking job. When my house was being built 25 years ago, one guy painted all of the 6 panel interior doors. He used a brush and how he didn’t leave a single brush stroke I’ll never know.
I hate painting but in the middle of a project that includes existing nice stained oak trim, I want to paint it white but hesitant about the prep work involved .. I think I would sand first with maybe with steel wool to rough the surface then clean with the cleaner. I think white trim makes the wall paint pop out …
Do you put tape over your newly painted trim before painting the walls, or do you just carefully cut in as close to the trim as possible with a precision angled brush? Thanks for the vid. B.T.W it taught me a lot for how to prepare the wooden trim for painting my rental property to keep me occupied while in covid lockdown. I’m off to do some sanding in readiness for the primer now…….
You doing a good job but you will find it much easier to use a course steel wool which is normally available from your hardware store, just make sure you wipe all the wool fragments that you certainly do not want on your finish as they can create small little rust spots, stainless steel wool may be safer if you want. A paint company tech once told me to just use a course 3M kitchen scourer, their usually green and nylon, you only have to cause scratching on the old surface to create a key for the new paint or varnish.
I would advise sanding in between each layer of primer and paint; starting from rougher grit to finer grit with each coat. If covering dark colors, 3 coats of primer with 80-120-180 grit, then 2 coats of paint with 220 grit after first coat. That would really work well imo. Thank you for the article 🙂