How to Paint Interior Window or Door Case Moldings: A Comprehensive Guide
Painting Interior Trim Moldings: An Overview
Painting interior trim moldings is a cost-effective way to refresh the look of your home. Whether you’re working with new or existing trim, this guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions and expert tips to achieve a professional finish.
What Is Case Molding?
Case molding is a type of trim molding that frames windows and doors, concealing the joints where the unit meets the wall. It comes in various styles, but most are simple, single-piece moldings that are 2 to 3 inches wide and mitered at the corners of the window or door.
Before You Start
If you’re repainting previously painted case moldings, the job is relatively straightforward and involves light patching and sanding. However, if you’re painting stained or varnished trim for the first time, additional preparation is necessary. You’ll need to thoroughly clean and sand the woodwork to remove any gloss that could prevent the paint from adhering. Applying a good primer is also crucial in this case.
What Is Cutting-In?
Achieving crisp edges when painting along the edges of wood trim is known as “cutting in.” While masking tape is a common method used by amateurs, professional painters often free-hand this task. With a skilled hand and an angled trim brush, cutting in by hand may yield better results than masking.
Materials You’ll Need
Equipment/Tools:
- Scrubbing sponge
- 1 2-inch trim paintbrush
- Scissors
- Putty knife (if needed)
- Utility knife (if needed)
Materials:
- Drop cloth
- 1 1/2-inch painter’s tape
- Wood filler (if needed)
- 120- and 220-grit sandpaper
- Primer
- Interior trim paint, gloss or semi-gloss
- Clean cloth or tack rag
- Spackling compound (if needed)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mask Off the Trim
Protect the floor beneath the window or door with a drop cloth. Then, use painter’s tape to mask off the case molding on both edges – where it meets the inner window or door frame and the surrounding wall. Cut the ends of the tape at 45-degree angles and overlap the ends for better adhesion.
2. Clean the Woodwork
Use a damp sponge and clear water to scrub dirt and grime from the trim. A coarse scrubbing sponge can be helpful if the trim is particularly dirty. Avoid using detergents, as they can leave residue that interferes with paint adhesion.
3. Repair Damage to Trim
Fill any nail holes, gouges, splinters, or other damage with wood filler using a putty knife. Make the repair as flush as possible with the surrounding trim. Allow the wood filler to dry completely before sanding.
4. Sand the Trim
Smooth out repair areas and lightly scuff the surface of the trim molding using sandpaper. This will provide a “tooth” for the primer and paint to adhere to.
For varnished wood, start with 80- or 120-grit sandpaper, then move to a 220-grit paper for final sanding. For previously painted wood, a light sanding pass with 220-grit paper is usually sufficient.
After sanding, wipe the trim and surrounding walls free of dust with a clean, dry cloth or tack rag.
5. Prime the Trim (Optional)
Applying a paint primer is not always necessary, but it’s recommended if you’re painting wood that was varnished or if you’re applying latex paint over a previous coat of oil-based paint. If you’re painting trim moldings that have already been painted with latex paint, primer is usually not required.
6. Apply First Coat of Paint
After the primer (if used) has dried, apply the first coat of paint using a 1- to 2-inch nylon/polyester trim brush. Begin with the inner portion of the molding, then paint the delicate outer edges that adjoin the wall surfaces. Finally, paint the wider surfaces that face the interior of the room. Allow the paint to dry completely.
7. Apply Second Coat (If Needed)
Inspect the coverage of the first coat and apply a second coat if necessary. If using a glossy paint, lightly sand the first coat to provide a “tooth” for the second coat.
8. Remove the Painter’s Tape
Let the paint dry thoroughly before removing the painter’s tape. Peel the tape away in a smooth, constant motion. If the tape does not cleanly cut through the paint, use a sharp utility knife to slice the paint film before pulling off the tape.
Painting Trim Before Installation
When installing new trim, you can either paint the pieces first or after they’re installed. Pre-painting saves time if you’re trimming out multiple doors and windows simultaneously. However, some touch-up work will be required after installation. If you’re installing trim for a single window and door, it’s more efficient to prime the pieces before installation and paint them afterward.