Painting Interior Trim

Interior trim and baseboards can touched up for the holidays by a light sanding on the entire surface.  This will remove any grease or dirt.  Sanding will also rough up the surface (after dusting the surface) a finished coat can be applied.  Dents in the wood   can be filled with spot filler.  It is sold by Kwal Paint Stores. Ask for it by that name.  Imperfections repaired with spot filler will need to be filled sealed  and primed before painting the final coat.   

Here is the procedure to follow:

• Mask the baseboards off with 1 1/2 inch masking tape.  Put the  tape on the floor or carpet.
• Tuck it close to the base board so that no paint will get on the carpet or floor surface.  Use a 3" putty knife to tuck the tape in tightly.
• Lightly sand the baseboard with a medium sanding sponge or 150 grit sandpaper.  
• Dust the surfaces to remove the wood shavings.
• Dents  in the wood can be repaired with spot filler.
• Let the spot filler dry and lightly sand the surface.
• Dust any residue off the surface.
• Seal the spot filler with a spray can of lacquer sanding sealer or brush with an oil base Kiltz primer.
• Apply the final coat of paint.
• Let the paint dry before removing the tape. 
• Score the tape with a knife next to the baseboard before pulling the tape.  This will leave a clean  finished line so that any excess paint that has dripped on to the take will rip paint off the painted surface.
• If you get paint on the floor or carpet whether wet or dry, take rubbing alcohol and a rag and gently wipe the paint off.

If you have any questions, give us a call. 

Seely Painting, Inc.