
Holding the brush as you would grip a pencil, press the brush against the wall just enough to flex the bristles, and use the narrow edge of the paintbrush to distribute paint onto the wall. When cutting in along vertical window or door casings, work from top to bottom. This will give you visual control over how well the paint is flowing. If you are left-handed, paint from right to left. If you are right-handed, cut in the wall at the ceiling corners from left to right. That just removes the paint, compresses the bristles, and makes the brush ineffective. This loads the paint more on the interior of the brush.ĭo not scrape the paint off the brush by dragging it across the edge of the bucket. Tap both sides of the brush lightly against the side of the can or pail. This stops the brush from being overloaded with paint and prevents dripping. Whether you are applying a preliminary coat of primer or going directly to the paint coat, the first step is to use a small angled trim brush to apply a narrow band around all moldings and other obstacles.ĭip the brush directly into the paint up to 1/3 of the length of the bristles. If you remove the tape while the paint is still quite damp, be very careful, as it is quite easy to create an enormous mess by brushing paint-covered tape against other surfaces. And painter's tape should not be allowed to sit until the paint fully dries when it can become difficult to remove. If you choose to mask off woodwork or other edges with painter's tape, make sure to apply it so it bonds smoothly, without any gaps that could allow the paint to seep beneath it. Other people, though, swear by painter's tape and would never paint without it. Professionals and experienced DIYers are often skilled enough to cut around moldings with a trim brush so precisely and neatly that painter's tape is unnecessary.

The use of painter's tape to mask off wood moldings or other areas is a debatable practice. But it's still important to cover vulnerable surfaces with drop cloths or sheets of plastic to guard against accidental spills. Painting carefully with a brush is generally a neater operation than painting with a roller, which can easily throw small droplets of paint every which way. The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
