Is it better to paint the trim and then the walls, or the walls first and trim last?

Answer 1

This was a tip from a professional painter. Trim first. The reason being, it is much, much easier to cut in the wall than to try and carefully paint the trim. Professional painters don't usually mask. I recently did some painting and used this method and found it to be allot neater and faster. I had always done it the other way.

Answer 2

i would go with lh2468 on this one. it is easier to use an edge guide or tape on trim than to use it on the already painted wall. it takes skill and practice to cut a straight line on the trim if you do the walls first. if primer is needed, prime the trim, then paint it and get the top coat on the joint and wall, about a 1/4" will be enough. then either tape the edges of the trim or use a straight edge to shield the trim when you cut in the walls. then paint the walls, if you get any drips or splatter on the trim, just wipe it off with a damp rag. i carry one in my back pocket, the wet end out of the pocket and a small putty knife, and wrap the knife in the rag to control the rag. if you want to tape the trim, use the blue painters masking tape, it's worth the few cents extra that it costs over the regular masking tape. if you have to caulk any seams or joints, prime first, then caulk, then paint the trim. also, two coats of the top finish paint will give you a better looking paint job. good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 3

Walls first, trim last. The best way is to tape off all of the trim with painters tape, paint the walls and let them dry for 48hrs. Then, remove the tape from the trim, and put a layer of tape on the wall near the trim and paint that.

Answer 4

I always paint ceilings first, then walls and trim last.

Answer 5

always do the trim last because of drips

Answer 6

walls first - trim and detail last

Answer 7

First the wall
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