How to Paint Baseboards Cleanly
But before you can paint baseboards, you have to prep them. Degloss baseboards painted with gloss or semi – gloss paint so the new paint will adhere well. Use TSP (trisodium phosphate) or a TSP substitute-if you fear the environmental costs of using a product containing phosphate-according to the manufacturer’s instructions to clean and degloss in one step. Another way to degloss baseboards is to sand them lightly. However, in older homes sanding may release lead dust so take proper precautions. If deglossing is not necessary, clean the baseboards with soap and water and let them dry before painting.
Once the baseboards are prepped, it’s time to get out one of the products that will help in painting them without making a mess.
Blue Tape. Made especially to treat surfaces delicately for and easily removed from surfaces, painter’s tape protects surfaces well. To paint the bottom of the baseboard cleanly, put the painter’s tape flush with the bottom of the baseboard, making sure none of the floor peeks through and the tape is smooth.
Also use painter’s tape to protect the wall above the top of the baseboard, if necessary.
This writer disagrees with the advice of some people to remove the painter’s tape when the paint is wet. Sometimes when removing tape with wet paint on it, a drip of paint falls to the floor. So, this writer waits until the paint dries before removing the tape. If it does not come up without disturbing the dried paint, use a utility knife to score it where it meets the baseboard.
Store – Bought Paint Guides. Low – cost paint guides made of aluminum or plastic are just straight edges with a handle. Simply hold the guide flush against the baseboard and paint. However, each time you lift the paint guide from a painted section, you will need to wipe the paint off the guide with cloth dampened in water for latex paints and mineral spirits or paint thinner for oil – based paints.
Cardboard. If you have no other paint aid, look for some pieces of cardboard thin enough to fit flush against the bottom of the baseboard. You will need more than one piece of cardboard to do a room because cardboard is very absorbent and after a certain number of wipe – offs it will not be effective in producing a clean line.
The Painting Process. Now that your painting aid has been selected, start painting. Do not overload the brush. Begin painting at the top of the baseboard, using horizontal strokes. Put most of the paint at the top half of the baseboard so when you get to the bottom your brush will have little paint to run. Paint only small sections at a time. Inspect the painted section for fresh drips and missed spots and correct them before going onto another section. If after painting the base of the baseboard you need more coverage, dip the brush into the paint tray or bucket again-being careful not to overload the brush- and go over the area with more strokes. When painting a corner where two baseboards meet, first paint using vertical strokes starting at the top. Then finish with horizontal strokes.
Removing Drips From Floors. If paint gets on tile or linoleum, you can remove it immediately by using a damp cloth. Or, you can wait until it dries. If drips get on wood floors, it’s better to wait until they dry before removing them. If a large amount of paint gets on any floor, remove it immediately using a damp, well -wrung rag. Dampen it with water if using latex paint and with paint thinner or mineral spirits if using an oil – based paint. To remove dried paint, use a one – inch – wide plastic putty knife, a mini – scraper (single -edge razor blade inside a handle) or steel wool (grade 2 or 3). Test a small area of the floor to ensure that your chosen paint – removing implement will not damage it.
When removing stubborn dried paint from wood floors, use one of the above – mentioned aids and a little of the floor cleaner appropriate for the type of floor you have. For example, some wood floors are waxed while others are sealed with polyurethane or some other sealer. Waxed wood floors are not cleaned with the same product used on sealed wood floors. If you do not know which cleaner to use, consult a flooring expert. Likewise, to remove stubborn drips from tile or linoleum, put the appropriate cleaner on a steel wool pad or a small amount on the floor before using a plastic putty knife or mini – scraper.
