The finite details of your home can make all the difference when it comes to a space looking finished. Baseboards, trim, door frames, cabinet molding, and other small details need to be painted in order for your home to feel professional. For homeowners who want to learn about painting trim and molding like a pro, this blog is for you. While the small details and lines may seem like a hassle, we have gathered tips to make trim painting feel less like a chore. 

Clean Before Applying Any Paint

The key to any paint job is doing the proper prep work. Cleaning the dust and debris from your trim and molding will ensure that the paint properly adheres to the surface. These smaller areas are the most common areas that collect dust, so they must be cleaned in order for your paint job to look professional.

Using water and mild soap should be enough to remove debris from trim and molding. Avoid using an abrasive cleaner or brush that could cause imperfections in the paint later. A dish sponge or a rag should be enough scrubbing power to prep the space for paint. 

Prep And Prime

Minor dents and scratches are common on trim, door frames, molding, and small spaces in a home. Paint can cling to these imperfections and cause your paint job to look lackluster. Using some sandpaper to even out the surface is a small detail that will elevate your paint job. Use between 120-220 grit sandpaper until you have a completely smooth surface. 

You should also seal gaps between wall and trim to avoid the paint sinking in to the crack. Use caulk to seal gaps and ensure a smooth surface. Make sure you sand or smooth down the caulk to match the sanded trim. These small details will help your space look like more of a commercial job, rather than a DIY repair. 

Start With 2-3 Foot Sections

Once you are ready to start painting trim and molding, start with small sections to avoid uneven coats. Apply your paint in long even strokes with the direction of the grain. Start by painting a 2-3 foot section and then start another section 2 feet away from the end. This way you can go back toward your first section and feather the two areas together. The first coat of paint doesn’t need to cover the material 100%, so remember to not overload your brush or cause dripping paint on the trim and molding. 

Paint Trim And Molding Last

If you are painting walls, ceilings, or doors in your home, these painting projects are best completed first to keep your trim neat and tidy. Many professionals feel that it is easier when painting trim and molding last because they can obtain precise lines and details after the rest of the room is painted.  

Choose The Best Paint For The Job

Oil based paint is recommended by professional painters for your trim because it is easier to work with. Oil paint takes longer to dry than water-based paint, which makes it a little more forgivable if you make mistakes or need to blend lines together. 

You will also need to determine what finish you want for your detailed paintwork. Here are some of the most popular finishes for trim paint. 

• Gloss: This paint provides a shiny finish and is fairly easy to clean. Some homeowners are staying away from gloss because it can show brush strokes and enhance imperfections.
• Satin: Satin paint is a step between high gloss and matte finishes. It has a soft sheen finish and is easy to wipe down and clean compared to matte paints.
• Eggshell: A nearly matte finish paint, eggshell is more durable than a basic matte finish paint. It is a relatively easy paint to work with and is often used for cupboards and doors. 

Use An Angled Brush

The best way to get clean lines is to use an angled brush for painting trim and molding. A 2-inch angled brush and single strokes will help you keep your lines clean and precise. Angled brushes are easy to paint trim with because it helps you avoid overloading with paint and are easy to feather two sections together. 

Choosing a brush that is the right size for your hand as well as a good angle to reach your trim and molding will help you achieve a clean look. Painting can get tiring, so choosing a brush that is comfortable will help you avoid aches and pains. 

Painting Trim And Molding With American Town Painting

Our professional painters have experience painting even the most detailed of spaces. From trim to door frames, we have the tools and team members to get the job done right. Hiring our team will help you get to use your freshly coated space much sooner. 
Book an estimate with us today!

Proper preparation and equipment are required for commercial painting. Doing the proper prep work, keeping the area clean, and following legal regulations will ensure the project is safe. By following safety protocols you can improve the quality of paint jobs you provide to clients. While this is not a comprehensive list of all safety protocols, these are some major additions that can elevate your commercial paint job. 

1- Legal Regulations

The most important safety procedure to follow is legal regulations for your city, state, or country. These guidelines were put in place to help keep workers and customers safe after health studies were done on certain toxins. Strict adherence to these guidelines is crucial if you want your business to stay open and avoid having to redo the project. 

Clean Air Act

Following the Clean Air Act helps limit the chemical compounds that can be used in commercial paint. VOCs can cause many health concerns like respiratory issues, fatigue, and long-term effects. Choosing paints that don’t contain high VOCs or lead will be best for a commercial space.

Lead-Based Paint Reduction Act

This act was put in place to help protect older homes that feature lead paint. Now lead in paint is banned in many places, so if you purchase an older property, you may need to follow crucial steps to protect yourself from lead. 

Property owners also must disclose if the paint has lead before selling or renting to a tenant. Because lead paint is only toxic when removed from the surface or inhaled, leaving it inside your home or business may not seem like a risk, but over time paint chips can cause health concerns. 

Repainting the space needs to be done with proper ventilation and protection equipment. Removing lead paint and repainting the space with a safer alternative is something that commercial painters take very seriously. Following safety protocols for lead paint keeps residents and painters safe. 

2- Worker Safety In High Traffic Areas

Not only should you choose a paint that is healthy for future customers and those who own the business, but you should keep the work area safe for painters. During the painting process, things can become chaotic, especially if multiple construction projects are occurring at one time. 

During a painting project, keeping the floor clean and free of equipment will prevent falls. Using stable ladders and step stools that are commercial grade will ensure the safety of all workers. Commercial painters should stay up to date on painting equipment and technology to prevent accidents from occurring. Worn-out equipment could result in lackluster painting and injury. 

3- Ladder Safety

Choosing the right ladder is one of the most important safety protocols. Most painting jobs are done at high heights, which means you need a stable ladder to reach every small space. It is best to avoid makeshift ladders or climbing on parts of the property. Doing annual inspections of ladders will help ensure that all the components are durable and that no repairs need to be made. 

Placing the ladder on flat ground and ensuring the ladder isn’t on any kind of debris or equipment cords may seem like common sense, but these slip-ups can lead to severe injury. 

4- Protection From Paint Fumes

Having masks and respirators handy for painters will help reduce hazards caused by paint fumes. Breathing in dust particles during sanding, asbestos, and paint chemicals are common hazards of commercial painting. Other protective equipment like gloves, PPE, goggles, and coveralls can help prevent hazards from paint. 

5- Minimize Property Damage

Miscalculations in safety can cost you as a company and the property owner. When painters are climbing on your building, using improper practices, or unstable ladders, this can cause damage to materials, leading to high repair costs. A commercial painter should have proper equipment to help them reach heights and coat small corners without the need to damage a property. 

Commercial Painting From American Town Painting

Our team of commercial painters is constantly learning more about safety. While our team is trained to use proper protective equipment and ladders, there is always more to learn about keeping everyone safe. Hiring our team will give you peace of mind about the state of your property and the quality of the paint job you will receive.

American Town Painting is proud to serve our local community. We offer residential painting, commercial painting, cabinet refinishing, and epoxy coatings to help give you a well rounded space. Our painters are focused on detail, no matter the job. If you are looking for a quality paint transformation, give American Town Painting a call.

Before listing your home, it is important to make repairs and paint touch-ups. Prepping your home to sell can be done in multiple ways, but a proper paint job is an easy and more affordable way to enhance your curb appeal. In this blog, we will share some of the most popular painting projects to help boost your home value. These painting projects are often ones you can do on your own or can be completed by a professional painting company to save you time. 

1- Siding

The exterior of a home is what gives a first impression to neighbors, guests, and the homeowners themselves. Siding or other exterior materials can be painted to any color that will help increase your curb appeal. Siding, brick, stone, or tile could be customized with exterior paint to create a more modern look. 

Before painting the exterior of your home, make sure the exterior is clean and free of damage. This will ensure the paint adheres properly and doesn’t flake off. Homes need to have exterior-grade paint to make them resistant to wind, hail, snow, and rain. 

2- Kitchen Cabinets

Another high-selling room in a home is the kitchen. Many families and singles spend the majority of their time in the kitchen because it can be used for many activities. Repainting or refinishing your cabinets will help give them a more usable life by adding an extra layer of durability. Cabinets can also become outdated, but painting them a more modern color will increase the home’s resale value. 

Current buyers love to see updated fixtures and modern designs when purchasing a home. Changing the cabinet color and hardware may shorten the time your home is on the market. 

3- Accent Walls

When you want your home to stand out, include an eye-catching accent wall. Accent walls can be a pattern, mural, bold color, wallpapered wall, or gallery space. These walls are a great way to prep your home to sell because they are so unique. An accent wall is a great way to help scratch the creative part of your brain while also creating a talking point in your home. 

Updating or touching up an accent wall may strike a chord with a buyer and push them to purchase a home. They may want an accent wall in their home but not have the means or time to complete one. An accent wall that is done well can last for many years and significantly increase resale value.

4- Basements

If your basement feels a little dark and bland, a fresh coat of paint can help prepare your home to sell. Upgrading the space to a lighter paint color will help the basement feel more open and enjoyable to spend time in. Lighter paint colors, especially neutrals, will help the space to feel cleaner and be a great starting point for any type of basement activity. When you prep your home to sell, a finished basement is a great way to increase the price of a home.

5- Trim And Baseboards

Trim and baseboards are some of the most abused parts of a home. They become scuffed, dented, worn, and chipped very easily. Touching up the paint in these areas can change the feel of a space dramatically. Your trim and baseboards are the finishing touches of any space, so giving them a fresh coat of paint will help a home feel new again. 

6- Closets

Closets are an often overlooked part of a home, but they are essential to proper functionality. Closets can see lots of wear and tear over the years, so by applying new paint, you will be able to make the space appear new and larger than it appears. A clean and spacious closet is a major selling point for homes as many older homes do not have adequate storage. 

An inviting closet will make it easier to use and help start your day off on the right foot. A lighter color is best when painting closet interiors as they reflect more light to make the space appear larger. 

7- Ceilings

Brightening up the ceiling will make a smaller space feel bigger. A bright space feels more inviting, photographs well, and shows great attention to detail. A ceiling with clean painted lines will show potential buyers that your home is well cared for and professionally done. Even if you paint your home on your own, taking the time to tape corners and paint smooth lines is a crucial step for prepping your home to sell. 

Prep Your Home To Sell With American Town Painting

Helping homeowners improve their paint job is our passion. No matter what space you want to update, our professionals have the skills and tools to make it happen. Before you attempt to paint your home all on your own, consider working with our team to save you time to focus on other aspects of selling a home. 

American Town Painting is proud to serve our community by offering residential painting, commercial painting, wallpaper installation, and epoxy floor services. We pay attention to the little details that can make all the difference in your home. Reach out to us to get expert installation and painting that will increase the value of your home.