tips on painting baseboards with carpet floor and a tip for new painters - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Zeebo · 10-22-2005, 04:30 PM

I need some tips from the more experienced painters in this group.

How do you guys paint a baseboard (with a brush) that sits just above a carpet flooring? The carpet is shoved right under the baseboard and some of the carpet fibers come up and get into your brush or there are bumps in the carpet so it's not nicely tucked under. We've all been there.

Do you tape the carpet before painting the baseboard? use an edger? go free hand? What do you do to make life easier and more effective?

Just looking for tip.

Thanks.

PS - Maybe I can share a tip for some new painters that are looking for business as I am in the boat. Recently, I made up 1000 flyers for Real Estate agents in my community and offered their client 10-15% off paint jobs...usually for clients that are selling their homes. I went to 20 different Real Estate offices, introduced myself to the receptionist (usually very nice looking!) and explained to her that I was a house painter in the area wanting to offer the Agents in the office painting service. In most situations, the receptionist would take 50 - 100 flyers and put them in the mail boxes for these Agents. Bingo...instant recognition and a cheap way to advertise and network. I did this 3 weeks ago and have so far secured 3 jobs...most of them being painting the homes of Real Estate Agents. Hope it helps.

TR's painting · 10-22-2005, 04:41 PM

I wipe/dry the "down side" of my brush off on the pail, and then free hand.

I use an edger sometimes (especially if it's a big color change)....but that's slow. So I guess it depends on who I'm working for, and how I bid it.

Another tip...(but don't tell anyone where you heard it), if you get a little paint on the carpet...use your putty knife and push those fibers under the baseboard.

AAPaint · 10-22-2005, 04:43 PM

I just use a shield like this one if I have to. Depends on the way the carpet is installed...often times I can do them without anything, but if it's a real pain or real thick carpet I cant paint around easily, I use one of these fellas:

Lay it on the carpet with the edge against the baseboard and push the carpet down.

**Teetorbilt** · 10-22-2005, 04:47 PM

Zeebo, I often use blue tape along base. Leave an extra 3/8" and tuck it under the base with a plastic putty knife with the edge rounded off.

Since going into the window treatment business, I have found that old vertical blind slats make an excellent shield.

TR's painting · 10-22-2005, 04:48 PM

Nice

Mine looked like that once...maybe I'll buy a new one someday.

Zeebo · 10-22-2005, 07:45 PM

thanks guys....good ideas and tips

Zeebo

painter77 · 10-23-2005, 09:56 AM

For new carpet I always place 2" white tape, press it down as going along, and where possible, in the same way mentioned in post #4. IMO white tape adheres better, and when removed, causes the fibers to raise up a bit, which 'hides' the unpainted part of some hard-to-paint-all-way-down baseboards.

I usually tape the carpet before rolling the ceiling and walls, for another reason: accidental paint spatter on the carpet from the rolling and cutting-in, as the tarps do not always stay close to, and at times tend to move away from, the baseboards.

Btw, good business tip, Z.

I think it's more effective than simply placing an ad in the paper and waiting..

JAARONC · 10-23-2005, 01:20 PM

I use spair vertical blinds and tuck them under the base board. Once the paint is dry just press down on the blind that is tucked under the trim and break that seal and pull it out.