Should I paint the trim with a sprayer first (avoid overspray), or should I install the trim, then spray?

Question

I am finishing my basement. I'm finished with framing, drywall and I've painted the drywall. I have also installed the door.

I'm ready to put in the trim, but I am wondering if I should paint the trim with a sprayer first, or if I should put the trim (MDF, by the way) on and then prepare it for painting.

I'm leaning toward putting it on, and then painting with a sprayer to make it look really nice, but I'm afraid that it might overspray onto other already finished areas.

Can you provide me some advice?

Answer 1

Ok, I've just had to do this since I had to rebuild 3/4 of my house... trust me, now that you've got the walls painted, take the trim and spray it outside, let it dry, then hang it with finishing nails. After the nails are in and it's done, get some of the paint, put a little on the tip of your finger and lightly dab the nailhead so it blends.

Answer 2

I've never sprayed my trim before, but I do paint it before putting it up. I just get a couple saw horses spread out good so it will hold the long piece of trim and paint away. Of course, you are always going to have a little touch up because of the nail holes and caulking. Really cuts down on the time, not to mention more comfortable.

Answer 3

Spray it first. That way u avoid getting the paint on anything else. Just make sure u measured coreectly so u don't paint and it not fit (that would suck). Also if u paint it first,and it's a color u haven't used in the room yet, you can see how it dries before u put it on in case u wanna change colors. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Totally agree with painting the trim first spray or brush-- outside or in the garage-- I stained all my trim before it was put up- and had a better more even coverage. Plus I used plastic gloves and a clean rag to apply the stain. No mess, no fuss.

Answer 5

you're better off spraying before you put the trim up. the other way you'd have to mask and tape the whole trim to avoid getting any paint on them.

Answer 6

just lay youre trim out on saw horses and prime them with an airless,install the trim and final paint them with a brush.

Answer 7

prime the trim, install it, putty the nail holes, prime the putty spots, sand, the apply 2 coats of finish paint

Answer 8

So much easier to paint it first. No worry about overspray or prep.

Answer 9

My opinion is that... you should spray it first so the *over-spray* does not effect other parts of the room