Which comes first? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

HandyAl · 04-28-2006, 07:19 AM

OK painters. How do you paint a room?

Wall, ceiling, trim
ceiling, wall, trim
trim, wall ceiling,
etc, etc....

IJS · 04-28-2006, 08:51 AM

ceiling, trim, wall

**Nathan** · 04-28-2006, 09:02 AM

ceiling, wall, trim

I guess it depends on how good you are at cutting a straight line. I like to roll everything out and then cut in the trim at the end with a nice straight line.

**ProWallGuy** · 04-28-2006, 11:11 AM

Ceiling, trim (minus baseboards), walls, then baseboard.

**Teetorbilt** · 04-28-2006, 11:16 AM

I was taught to start at the top and work down. Ceiling, trim, walls. I like to do all of the cut-in first and then roll, it reduces the brushmarks next to the trim, ceilings, etc.

MinConst · 04-28-2006, 11:26 AM

I've always done ceiling, walls, trim. But after reading this thread I may try doing the trim before the walls. Seems like it would be easier to cut in the walls rather than the trim.

**ProWallGuy** · 04-28-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MinConst

Seems like it would be easier to cut in the walls rather than the trim.

Exactly.

lornmastro · 04-28-2006, 11:38 AM

ok....and now i know this might be a stupid question but if you do the trim then the wall don't you splatter on your freshly painted trim?? or do you then tape up the trim?? thanks

**ProWallGuy** · 04-28-2006, 11:56 AM

The only splatter we have is going down, hence waiting on the baseboard til last.

And also, using top-quality paints, and good roller covers eliminates 90% of spatter.

Rolling BM Regal Matte with Wooster 50/50's, spatter is almost zero. I don't tape off for anything.

**Nathan** · 04-28-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MinConst

Seems like it would be easier to cut in the walls rather than the trim.

Not for me at all... I guess I'm just strange.

camaroman2125 · 04-28-2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

Not for me at all... I guess I'm just strange.

I guess that makes me strange also. I have always found it easier to cut in the trim to the wall than the wall to the trim. Don't ask me why cause I don't know.

**Nathan** · 04-28-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaroman2125

I guess that makes me strange also. I have always found it easier to cut in the trim to the wall than the wall to the trim. Don't ask me why cause I don't know.

I know why for me... its called gravity. Paint drips down onto the trim. Of course I guess that makes me unprofessional to say so.

The vertical trims I can go either way on.

**slickshift** · 04-28-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lornmastro

but if you do the trim then the wall don't you splatter on your freshly painted trim?? or do you then tape up the trim??

I don't tape and I don't splatter, but I usually do the walls before trim anyway

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWallGuy

...using top-quality paints, and good roller covers eliminates 90% of spatter.

Rolling BM Regal Matte with Wooster 50/50's, spatter is almost zero. I don't tape off for anything.

Ditto
Ditto

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

ceiling, wall, trim

That's usually how I do it

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWallGuy

Ceiling, trim (minus baseboards), walls, then baseboard.

There is a certain logic to that
I don't recall trying it that way though
Maybe on a crew years ago it worked out that way
But not on purpose that I recall

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

....I'm just strange.

....perhaps that should be another thread all by itself
Lol...(j/k)
(hey your at the helm of this boat full of nuts, you must be a little off the beaten path lol)

Woz the Painter · 04-28-2006, 02:19 PM

Ceiling, walls, then trim....except on a large office build out where if you can shoot all the frames first, then come back and prime and paint the sheetrock.

phinsher · 04-28-2006, 03:54 PM

Ceiling, trim, walls, final coat on baseboard.

Much easier to clean flat wall paint from the shiny trim then it is to clean trim paint from the flat wall paint if ya mess up.

Plus how ya gonna cut in the top of the wall while the ceiling paint is still wet? Paint that ceiling, while it dries paint the trim one wall at a time. Then start cutting in walls one at a time wherever you started panting trim. Well, thats what works for us, but I know plenty of painters that think i'm nuts.

DelW · 04-28-2006, 09:47 PM

For me its all about the visual aspect. Its easier to paint trim 1st, then the wall, it makes it alot easier to cut a straight line on the wall in tight quarters than try to get the edge of a door casing in a corner. Hope that makes sense.

lxdollarsxl · 04-28-2006, 09:55 PM

Ceiling- trim- cut in -walls- base, and a little trick i learned years ago i carry 2 - 4 feet long 12 inch wide ply which i lay along base to prevent any splatter and move them as i get along the wall.

lornmastro · 04-29-2006, 12:30 PM

ok....i'm sticking my neck out here sooo be kind and patient with me...lol...as i have said before i am self taught with no mentor...but....gulp....why wouldn;t you paint the baseboard first, tape it, then paint walls, remove tape and wal-la!! no splatter on baseboard, real clean lines,no need for boards,done!! thanks ahead of time for not hitting me with spitballs ....lol

phinsher · 04-29-2006, 04:24 PM

lornmastro, we used to do it just the way you described. Paint ceiling, paint trim, mask trim then paint walls and demask. It sure made for some straight lines, and no spatter. The problem is, it takes longer and it costs more.

Woz the Painter · 04-29-2006, 04:58 PM

A professional painter shouldn't have to mask things off, other than vinyl base or to protect objects when spraying. Masking everything is for homeowners!