We took our burning DIY question to the professionals.
If you have ever tackled a paint project at home, it’s likely that you learned a lesson or two the hard way. For me, painting our dining room proved one such education—namely, I discovered that brushing a coat of water-based paint over an oil-based one is a recipe for a peeling paint disaster. Of course, a little research on the front end could have saved me—and is sure to save you—from a multitude of DIY painting sins, which is why we’re taking one of our key home improvement questions to the pros: Should you paint the walls or the trim first? Varnish And Hardener
Monica Mothershead is the senior merchant of paint at The Home Depot
Will Hudson is the senior merchant of paint sundries at The Home Depot
The answer is decisive: “You should paint your trim first as it will be easier to cut a straight line on the wall next to the trim, whether you are doing that by hand or with the assistance of tape,” says Monica Mothershead, senior merchant of paint at The Home Depot. Painting the trim allows you to focus on a smooth finish without being too fretful over any potential runaway paint on the walls; you’ll be painting over those errant strokes later anyway.
Of course, a successful paint job is largely dependent on the prep work that’s done before you ever crack open the can of paint, notes Will Hudson, The Home Depot’s senior merchant of paint sundries. Here are some pointers for preparing the area before painting begins.
So the next time you’re tempted to break out the paint brushes for a DIY home makeover, consult the experts first. They can save you some time and some potential heartache.
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