how to painting doorways, trim, sills and decorative ornaments
GETTING STARTED
Make a checklist and be sure you have everything you need before you begin painting. Running around looking for things as you need them or having to stop to go to the store will slow you down. It also takes the fun out of your project. To begin, you need to thoroughly clean the areas that you wish to paint. Make sure you wait until the surface is completely dry before you begin painting. Allowing the surface to dry overnight is usually sufficient, unless it has been raining or it is very humid. Dampness may cause you to put your project off for a couple of days.
Use a product specifically made for exterior patch work to fill in holes and cracks in wooden surfaces. Make sure to caulk then sand any crevices. If the area cannot be easily repaired, you may need to replace it with a new piece of trim. Be sure to remove all old and flaking paint. To remove stubborn patches a heat gun might be required. These guns are handy but must be used cautiously. Simply point the gun at the trouble spot and let the heat soften the paint for a moment until you can scrape it away.
If priming is necessary, choose a good strong primer. It is imperative that any areas of "naked" wood are coated with primer before attempting to paint them. It is best to use water based primer with water based paint, and oil based primer with oil based paint. Always let the primer dry completely before you start painting. As with any other painting project, be sure to tape off areas that you don't want painted. You can also use painter's tape or masking tape to secure newspaper to siding, window panes or doors to protect them from spatters or overlaps.
COLOR CHOICES
First decide if you want a monochromatic color scheme or if you prefer more contrast. A monochromatic color scheme is one that uses different shades or tones of the same color. If your home is a medium blue tone, you may want to use a darker blue for the trim. If you want more contrast, you might choose white or off white.
It is best to check out the paint manufacturer's color chips when deciding, since all colors are not the same. For example: a "white" paint may appear to be a crisp, stark white until you see it against another color. All whites have different undertones spanning the color spectrum. Also, it is a good idea to match paints from the same manufacturer. You may choose a deep rich plum only to find out that plum is not at all the same color when produced by another manufacturer.
When painting trim, it is always best to use a paint that is glossier than the rest of the surface. This is especially true when using a monochromatic color scheme, because if you are using similar shades of color, the trim will blend in with the rest of the house. High gloss paint is the best choice for trims that are similar to the house color, while semi-gloss should provide enough sheen to make a contrasting color really stand out.
HELPFUL TIPS
Have the paint shaken when you purchase it. If you don't use it immediately, make sure to stir it well before use and often during use. Be sure to follow all directions on the label, especially the safety precautions and instructions concerning drying times. Use a brush that closely fits the size of your trim. This will not only make the job easier, it will also keep you from going back and forth over already painted areas, which will insure a clean, crisp finish. Always paint from top to bottom, wiping any drips immediately.
For Doorways: Doorways should be painted last, after most of the work and most of the clean up is completed, to avoid having a lot of traffic through your freshly painted entryways. After painting, leave doors open so they won't scuff the trim.
For Trim: Since it is always best to start at the top and work your way down, you should start with the highest trim. You may wish to spread drop cloths out to protect items below from paint that may drip.
For Sills: Tape off the outside of the window sill as well as the inner panes. You may want to tape newspaper to the glass areas to protect them from drips or spatters. For best results, begin with the dividers then paint the trim and window sill.
For Decorative Ornaments: Any "gingerbread" or other decorative pieces will take a little more time and effort to paint. Use a small brush and pay attention to detail. Paint all the intricate areas first making sure that you get paint into every crack and crevice. Then work on the surrounding pieces, insuring that paint does not pool or drip inside the intricate areas. If this occurs, wipe drips before they can dry, and remove excess paint that has pooled by carefully scooping paint away with the brush or wiping with a clean rag. You may need to repaint the area after wiping.
SAFETY
Follow all directions and only use tools and other supplies as recommended by the manufacturer.
When using a ladder always be sure to use one that is big enough for the job. If you really have to stretch to reach the spot you want to paint, you either need a taller ladder, or you need to move it closer. Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer, and never use a ladder when you are home alone. Always have someone else nearby in case of emergency.
Do not use electric tools outside in wet weather. Even the morning dew on your grass can create a hazard. Be sure to use proper adapters and approved extension cords. Cords can become dangerous when lying across a high traffic area or in front of an entryway. If the cord must cross a path, mark it so it is noticeable or cover it with an old throw rug or a piece of heavy cardboard to avoid tripping over it.
When using a heat gun be extra careful. Some of these devices can reach extremely high temperatures and can cause severe injury or fire. To avoid causing burns or damage, only lay a heat gun down on the plate that it came with, and always keep heat it away from paints and thinners. Painting your trim gives you an opportunity to improve the look of your home, but it is also a chance to show your creativity and personality. If you are careful to avoid damage and injury, such projects can be a lot of fun.
Make a checklist and be sure you have everything you need before you begin painting. Running around looking for things as you need them or having to stop to go to the store will slow you down. It also takes the fun out of your project. To begin, you need to thoroughly clean the areas that you wish to paint. Make sure you wait until the surface is completely dry before you begin painting. Allowing the surface to dry overnight is usually sufficient, unless it has been raining or it is very humid. Dampness may cause you to put your project off for a couple of days.
Use a product specifically made for exterior patch work to fill in holes and cracks in wooden surfaces. Make sure to caulk then sand any crevices. If the area cannot be easily repaired, you may need to replace it with a new piece of trim. Be sure to remove all old and flaking paint. To remove stubborn patches a heat gun might be required. These guns are handy but must be used cautiously. Simply point the gun at the trouble spot and let the heat soften the paint for a moment until you can scrape it away.
If priming is necessary, choose a good strong primer. It is imperative that any areas of "naked" wood are coated with primer before attempting to paint them. It is best to use water based primer with water based paint, and oil based primer with oil based paint. Always let the primer dry completely before you start painting. As with any other painting project, be sure to tape off areas that you don't want painted. You can also use painter's tape or masking tape to secure newspaper to siding, window panes or doors to protect them from spatters or overlaps.
COLOR CHOICES
First decide if you want a monochromatic color scheme or if you prefer more contrast. A monochromatic color scheme is one that uses different shades or tones of the same color. If your home is a medium blue tone, you may want to use a darker blue for the trim. If you want more contrast, you might choose white or off white.
It is best to check out the paint manufacturer's color chips when deciding, since all colors are not the same. For example: a "white" paint may appear to be a crisp, stark white until you see it against another color. All whites have different undertones spanning the color spectrum. Also, it is a good idea to match paints from the same manufacturer. You may choose a deep rich plum only to find out that plum is not at all the same color when produced by another manufacturer.
When painting trim, it is always best to use a paint that is glossier than the rest of the surface. This is especially true when using a monochromatic color scheme, because if you are using similar shades of color, the trim will blend in with the rest of the house. High gloss paint is the best choice for trims that are similar to the house color, while semi-gloss should provide enough sheen to make a contrasting color really stand out.
HELPFUL TIPS
Have the paint shaken when you purchase it. If you don't use it immediately, make sure to stir it well before use and often during use. Be sure to follow all directions on the label, especially the safety precautions and instructions concerning drying times. Use a brush that closely fits the size of your trim. This will not only make the job easier, it will also keep you from going back and forth over already painted areas, which will insure a clean, crisp finish. Always paint from top to bottom, wiping any drips immediately.
For Doorways: Doorways should be painted last, after most of the work and most of the clean up is completed, to avoid having a lot of traffic through your freshly painted entryways. After painting, leave doors open so they won't scuff the trim.
For Trim: Since it is always best to start at the top and work your way down, you should start with the highest trim. You may wish to spread drop cloths out to protect items below from paint that may drip.
For Sills: Tape off the outside of the window sill as well as the inner panes. You may want to tape newspaper to the glass areas to protect them from drips or spatters. For best results, begin with the dividers then paint the trim and window sill.
For Decorative Ornaments: Any "gingerbread" or other decorative pieces will take a little more time and effort to paint. Use a small brush and pay attention to detail. Paint all the intricate areas first making sure that you get paint into every crack and crevice. Then work on the surrounding pieces, insuring that paint does not pool or drip inside the intricate areas. If this occurs, wipe drips before they can dry, and remove excess paint that has pooled by carefully scooping paint away with the brush or wiping with a clean rag. You may need to repaint the area after wiping.
SAFETY
Follow all directions and only use tools and other supplies as recommended by the manufacturer.
When using a ladder always be sure to use one that is big enough for the job. If you really have to stretch to reach the spot you want to paint, you either need a taller ladder, or you need to move it closer. Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer, and never use a ladder when you are home alone. Always have someone else nearby in case of emergency.
Do not use electric tools outside in wet weather. Even the morning dew on your grass can create a hazard. Be sure to use proper adapters and approved extension cords. Cords can become dangerous when lying across a high traffic area or in front of an entryway. If the cord must cross a path, mark it so it is noticeable or cover it with an old throw rug or a piece of heavy cardboard to avoid tripping over it.
When using a heat gun be extra careful. Some of these devices can reach extremely high temperatures and can cause severe injury or fire. To avoid causing burns or damage, only lay a heat gun down on the plate that it came with, and always keep heat it away from paints and thinners. Painting your trim gives you an opportunity to improve the look of your home, but it is also a chance to show your creativity and personality. If you are careful to avoid damage and injury, such projects can be a lot of fun.
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