Painting Baseboards
If your baseboards are chipped, scuffed, or dingy, it is the only thing you notice when you walk into the room. You know that a fresh coat of paint will make all the difference, but first, you need to know how to paint baseboards. Then, you will be ready to dive in and start your project.
At Delta City Painters, we go over the steps you need to take in painting your baseboards. Remember, you need to follow this process to closely, so that your baseboards will look professionally painted.
To Remove or Not Remove, that is the Question
When looking at how to paint baseboards, you will realize you have two options. You can remove the baseboards and paint them, or paint them in situ. The project is easier if you remove them, but that is not always possible. If the join between the wall and baseboards is covered in layers of paint, you could damage the wall when removing the boards. If so, you will want to leave the baseboards in place when painting them. However, if your baseboards are not covered in paint, pry them from the wall before painting them.
Clean Your Baseboards
Your baseboards are one of the dirtiest areas of your home, so you need to clean them before painting. Use trisodium phosphate, or TSP, to clean your baseboards. Make sure you clean the entire area, paying special attention t the top of the baseboards. Lots of dirt and grime gathers in the top, and you will need to remove it before painting the wood.
Patch Your Baseboards
Your baseboards probably have some holes and dings that need to be patched before you paint. Use a wood filler or spackle to patch the baseboards. Do not worry too much about overfilling when patching the holes and dings, you will address that in the next step.
Sand the Baseboards
After the wood filler or spackle has set, you need to stand the baseboards to ensure they are smooth. Use medium-grit sandpaper and sand the entire area. Then, switch to a damp cloth and wipe them down. Your baseboards need to dry completely before you paint them. Err on the side of caution and give your baseboards ample time to dry.
Protect Your Floor and Wall if the Baseboards Are Attached
If you are not able to remove your baseboards for painting, you will need to protect your floor and wall. Otherwise, you will end up with a pretty big mess on your hands. Begin by putting painters’ tape where the baseboards meet the floor and the wall. Then, put a drop cloth on the floor.
Paint the Baseboards
Now that your baseboards are prepped, it is time to start painting. You will need to use an angled brush for this job. Dip the short edge of the brush in paint and mentally divide the baseboards into one-foot sections. Start by painting the first foot, using long strokes. Only go in one direction, resisting the urge to double back as you would normally do when painting. When you come across a contour in the baseboards, you will need to push on it a bit so that the paint penetrates.
Let the first coat dry and sand the baseboards once again. Then, apply a second coat. Once it dries, assess the baseboards. Do they look perfect? If so, your work is done. If not, sand the baseboards a third time and apply another coat of paint. You should not need more than three coats of paint.
Remove the Painter’s Tape and Admire Your Work
After the paint dries, you can remove the painter’s tape. Then, stand back and admire your work. Your freshly-painted baseboards should make a big difference in your home.
Get Help Painting Your Baseboards
Now that you know how to paint baseboards, you might feel a little deflated. It is a bigger project than you anticipated, and your to-do list is already pretty long. Fortunately, you do not have to do it yourself. You can hire Delta City Painters to paint your baseboards for you. Then, you can rest assured that your baseboards will look perfect when the job is complete. That will take a lot of stress off your shoulders, and it will also make it easier to tackle the rest of your to-do list.
