In this series, we’ve been sharing tips and guidelines on how to paint a variety of surfaces. They’re all different and they all require different preparation and techniques.
The previous 4 installments of the series covered how to paint glass, fabric, ceilings, ceramics, bricks (as well as the fireplace surround), metal and doors.
They can be found here: How to Paint Any Surface, How to Paint Any Surface – Part 2, How to Paint Any Surface – Part 3 and How to Paint Any Surface – Part 4.
Here are some guidelines for painting a tricky surface:
Molding
Patch holes in the molding with a surfacing compound before painting. If there are any gaps between the wall and the molding, fill them with caulk. It’s helpful to paint the molding before painting the wall. If not an option, just use painter’s tape along the molding to mask off the wall.
Lock in the original finish and prevent bleed-throughs by applying a primer-sealer combination. Working on each piece from the bottom up, use a 4-inch foam roller to paint the molding. Use a paintbrush to get in the grooves and edges.
Quick tip: Use vertical strokes if the piece of molding is vertical and use horizontal strokes for horizontal pieces.