Wall décor adds an architectural character to the house and can be painted in contrasting colors to attract attention or in neutral tones to dampen interest. However, it is essential to properly prepare the decoration before painting. This usually means placing the nail head under the surface of the wood, filling and sanding holes, cleaning, and repairing or replacing damaged wood. It may also require the removal of old paint or varnish to provide a fresh finish to the finish. It is best to complete all the preparations on the decoration and walls before finishing either surface. We will guide you through the process of painting and decorating, including baseboards, door decorations, crown molding, and more, for a professional room makeover.
Note: Be sure to wear protective glasses when stripping threads, and be sure to wear dust masks when sanding. Chemical peels can contain toxic fumes, so ventilate the room well before using the peeling solution. Rubber gloves are also a must-have to prevent chemicals from burning your hands.
What You’ll Need
Equipment/Tools
- Protective eyewear
- Dust masks
- Plastic gloves
- Lead test kits
- Orbital grinder (optional)
- Sanding blocks
- Hammer
- Nail covers
- Putty knives
- Caulking gun (optional)
- Angled brushes
- Paint trays
Material
- Drip cloth
- Painter’s tape
- TSP cleaning solution
- Microfiber cloth
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Sponge
- Wood filler or plastering compound
- Caulk (optional)
- Primer
- Paint
How to Paint Trim?
Learn how to paint baseplates, crown trims, window trim and more with our step-by-step instructions.
1. Lead test
Lead is a hazardous substance that was used as a paint ingredient until the late 70s of the 20th century. In 1978, legislation banned its use, but your house may still contain lead paint. You should take the prescribed precautions when removing lead paint, and in some cases, you will need to call a professional to stabilize or remove these materials.
The best ways to reduce the hazards of lead paint in your home include:
- Paint removal: Use a large knife to scrape off peeling walls and paint from woodwork. Wear a respirator at work. You can use a chemical paint stripper to soften the paint. If you dry scrape paint, spray the surface with a spray bottle to reduce harmful dust. Clean dust and particles with a damp mop – vacuuming will spread lead dust. Due to the risk of dust, sanding, sandblasting, and similar methods are not recommended.
- Encapsulation: Instead of removing paint, it is isolated or sealed. Apply new drywall to existing walls or float them up with a wallboard mixture.
- Surface Replacement: Remove and replace woodwork and moldings coated with lead paint.
2. Install the decoration (optional) and prepare the area
Unlike other painting projects, you need to install decorative pieces before painting. Use the technology you need to securely attach it to the wall. This step only applies to new decorations; If you’re painting the existing décor of your room, skip it.
Remove furniture from the work area. Place a piece of cloth on the wall of the area to be painted. If paint drips off the décor, this important step will protect your floor or carpet from damage. Cover the decoration with painter’s tape.
3. Clean the surface
Wash the trim surface with TSP solution ($5, The Home Depot) and replace regularly when the solution and rinse water become cloudy. After all trims are cleaned, rinse thoroughly with a damp cloth and allow the trims to dry.
4. Sand ornamentation
Even the best new paint or clear finish doesn’t stick well to glossy paint. Before painting, sand all smooth surfaces with 120-gauge sandpaper. For flat surfaces, using a palm sander or random orbital sander when sanding can save a lot of time. You’ll need to follow the texture and replace the sandpaper frequently when it’s worn out.
Contoured surfaces are difficult to sanded with rectangular blocks of sand because they chisel the wood. Use a flexible sanding block or sanding sponge to smooth these curved surfaces. If the decoration has already been treated with paint, sand until the surface is no longer shiny.
After abrasion sanding, the surface will contain tiny dust particles left in the grooves by the sandpaper. Use a soft cloth or sponge dampened with water to remove these particles from the surface.
5. Fill the nail holes
If needed, use a nail to push the nail head below the surface of the wood. Place the tip of the nail into the groove of the nail head and hit it vigorously with a hammer. Use a putty knife to slightly fill in nail holes, dents, and other damaged areas with an internal wood filler or putty compound. If you want to apply a transparent finish to your décor, buy putty in different colors and use the one that best matches the finished tone of the wood.
Fill the area slightly to accommodate its tendency to shrink. Allow the filler to dry and then sand it smooth with 120-gauge sandpaper. If the filler shrinks below the surface of the wood, reapply another layer and sand it after drying. Follow the instructions of the putty or wood filler manufacturer for best results. Before finishing the decoration, use a microfiber cloth to remove the residue after sanding.
If needed, fill in any gaps or cracks with caulk and let them dry.
6. Primer and paint
Once all the preparations are done, it’s time to paint the decoration. Start by priming the trim, making sure to apply all the stains and spots that have been filled. Allow to dry for 24 hours. If any spots still appear, apply a second coat of primer and let it dry.
Work in sections, using short strokes to paint with an angled brush. Repeat the step until the area is complete, then blend the strokes with a long stroke that is the same length as the trimmed. Repeat this process, working in sections until the entire room is complete. Remove the painter’s tape. Before moving furniture back into the room, allow it to dry completely.
Should I Paint the Walls First or Trim Them First?
If you are an amateur painter, paint the decoration with a brush first and then the walls. This strategy will make it easier to sand, prepare, and paint all the details, edges, and flatness of the ornament.
After all the paint layers on the decoration have dried thoroughly, cover the decoration with paint tape and paint the wall with a roller. Because you’ve covered up the décor, any splashes on the wall should land on the painter’s tape and remove it later. Most professional painters will paint the walls first and then trim them expertly.
Choose the Right Decorative Paint Finish
Choosing the right paint topcoat for your décor is just as important as preparing the wood decorative surface correctly. Due to its durability, satin or semi-gloss is the standard lacquer finish for decoration. The satin lacquer will have a light sheen and a soft texture. Satin paint is also more durable than plain paint and can be used for decorations that won’t be misused too much, especially if you want to separate the décor from the walls of the flat paint.
Doors, windows, and moldings typically have a higher gloss than walls because they have more physical contact and require a harder surface. In addition, the smooth surface highlights the woodwork, making it stand out from the walls. The contrast between the décor and the walls adds interest to your design scheme. Choose a decorative paint that is at least one level glossier than the wall.