Original source https://www.woodgrain.com/how-to-prime-and-paint-your-moulding/
New to painting moulding, or just need a quick refresher?
Follow this guide for step-by-step instructions on:
- How to Prime Your Moulding for Painting
- How to Paint Your Moulding Before Install
- How to Paint Your Moulding After Install
- Helpful Tips
GETTING STARTED
Whether priming or painting your moulding, you’ll need the following tools to get started:
- Paint or Primer
- Drop Cloths
- Rags
- Wood Putty, Caulk and Caulk Gun
- Brushes
- 220-Grit Sandpaper
- Vacuum
- Painters Tape (if painting after install)
HOW TO PRIME YOUR MOULDING FOR PAINTING
Priming is an important step in painting your moulding. It ensures your moulding will have an even finish, brings out the color of your paint and prevents cracks and fading.
You can skip this section if your moulding is pre-primed, and most of the mouldings sold at retail stores actually come with a factory applied primer. It is only necessary to prime solid pine or unprimed finger joint moulding.
Step 1: Wipe down the moulding with a clean, slightly damp rag.
Step 2: Sand the moulding with a medium/fine grit sanding sponge or paper.
We recommend using 220-grit sandpaper.
Step 3: Vacuum the moulding.
This prevents dust and debris from sticking to your primer.
Step 4. Prime the moulding with a primer of your choice.
Refer to the instructions on your primer for how many coats you need to apply. Typically you will need to apply 1-2 coats. Make sure you wait for the first coat to dry completely before adding a second coat. If you are painting solid pine moulding or unprimed finger joint moulding, we recommend priming with a high quality primer.
HOW TO PAINT YOUR MOULDING BEFORE INSTALL
We recommend painting the moulding before it is installed if possible. If you’ve already installed your moulding before painting, go to the next section.
Step 1: Start by lightly sanding the moulding with a sanding sponge or paper.
We recommend using 220-grit sandpaper. Even if you already sanded your moulding while priming it, this step is still necessary.
Step 2: Vacuum the moulding.
This helps remove the debris from sanding.
Step 3: Wipe down the moulding with a clean, slightly damp rag.
Step 4: Apply your paint.
Apply your top coats of paint and refer to the instructions on your paint for how many coats you need to apply. Typically you should apply two coats and wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.
Step 5: Install your moulding and caulk your seams.
Caulking your seams gives your moulding a finished look and will cover up any leftover gaps. When applying caulking try to use consistent pressure. We recommend cutting your caulking tube tip at a 30-degree angle, as this will allow for better application.
HOW TO PAINT YOUR MOULDING AFTER INSTALL
If you installed your moulding before painting, don’t fret! Follow these steps to paint your moulding after install.
Step 1: Fill any nail holes and repair scratches, dents or damaged surfaces.
You can do this by using a non-shrinking filler such as caulking. Allow the filler to dry and then lightly sand the moulding. We recommend using 220-grit sandpaper. Even if you already sanded your moulding while priming it, this step is still necessary.
Step 2: Vacuum the moulding if possible.
This helps remove the debris from sanding.
Step 3: Caulk your seams.
Caulking your seams gives your moulding a finished look and will cover up any leftover gaps. When applying caulking try to use consistent pressure. We recommend cutting your caulking tube tip at a 30-degree angle, as this will allow for better application.
Step 4: Prepare for painting.
Once the caulking is dry, use painters tape to cover the areas where you do not want to apply paint. Be sure to apply pressure to the tape so the paint doesn’t leak underneath your tape lines.
Step 5: Apply your paint.
Apply your top coats of paint and refer to the instructions on your paint can for how many coats you need to apply. Typically you should apply two coats and wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.
Pro tip: Remember to remove the painters tape immediately after finishing to prevent the tape from damaging the wall or surrounding trim.
HELPFUL TIPS
Choosing a Brush or Roller
When painting, a quality brush will yield better results. Don’t go cheap on the paintbrush, as bristles may fall out onto your moulding. We suggest a nylon or poly-nylon brush that is 2 to 2.5 inches in size, as these are best suited for painting trim and mouldings.
How to Sand Your Moulding
Using fine grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge, sand the moulding with the grain of the wood. Coarser grits of sandpaper or sanding against the grain of the wood will leave blemishes in the wood. A very light touch is required when sanding moulding. It is recommended that you sand between each coat of primer or paint. The light sanding will ensure a strong bond between the coats and give a smoother finish.
Finishing Recommendation
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Board 1x4x16 S4S – Latex Primed Pine
$1.75
137 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Base 3-1/4″ Primed Wood; 16-ft Length; Price per foot
$0.99
4 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Base 5-1/4″ Primed Wood; 16-ft Length; Price per linear foot
$1.50
186 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Base 7″ Primed MDF 16-ft Length Price per lineal foot
$2.98
39 votes.
OUT OF STOCK
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Bead Cap 1-3/8 x 1-3/4 Primed Pine
$2.79
1 vote.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Board 1x10x16 S4S – Latex Primed Pine
$4.00
2 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Board 1x12x16 S4S – Latex Primed Pine
$4.50
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Board 1x6x16 S4S – Latex Primed Pine
$2.75
48 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Board 1x8x16 S4S – Latex Primed Pine
$3.50
5 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Board 5/4x10x12 S4S – Latex Primed Pine
$1.95
6 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Board 5/4x6x12 S4S – Latex Primed Pine
$3.00
3 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Casing 3-1/4″ Primed Wood; 87inch Lengths; Price per foot
$1.10
25 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Casing Colonial 2-1/4 Primed Wood; 14-ft Length
$0.90
9 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Casing Colonial 2-1/4 Primed Wood; 7-ft Length
$0.75
9 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Casing Stafford 3-7/16 Primed FJ Pine; 15-ft Length; Price per foot
$1.40
4 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Casing Windsor 3-1/2″ FJ Primed ; 15-ft Length; Price per foot
$2.95
55 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Chair rail 11/16inch x 3inch Finger Jointed Primed
$1.49
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Colonial Base 9/16 x 4-1/4 Primed Pine
$1.40
27 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Crown 5-1/4″ Primed MDF – 16 foot length – Priced per foot
$2.50
26 votes.
OUT OF STOCK
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Oak Casing – 2-1/4″
$1.29
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Panel 1-1/8″ x 1-3/4″ Primed White 16-ft Length Price per lineal foot
$1.49
OUT OF STOCK
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Plinth Block – 1-1/8″ x 4-1/8″
$56.00
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Quarter Round 11/16″ x 11/16″ FJ Primed 16-ft Length Price per lineal foot
$0.45
14 votes.
OUT OF STOCK
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Shoe 7-16ths x 11-16ths Finger Jointed Primed
$4.00
OUT OF STOCK
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Stool – FJ Primed – 3-1/2″
$3.00
3 votes.
MOULDING AND TRIM
Moulding: Stop 1-3/8inch Clear Pine
Weight5 lbs
Shipping Dimensions84 x 12 x 6 in
technical
ConstructionFinger-Jointed
SpeciesPine
PrefinishedPrimed
Manufacturer ID14S4SP 1382734
Thickness11/16 inch
Width3 1/2 inches
Length16 feet
Units per case/pallet1
-
- Weight3 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions168 x 3 x 1 in
- technical
- Showroom LocationNotDisplay
- ColorWhite
- ConstructionFinger-Jointed
- ManufacturerMolding Millwork
- SpeciesPine
- PrefinishedPrimed
- UPC616665147013
- Manufacturer ID376P 1382783
- Thickness11/16 inch
- Width2 1/4 inches
- Length14 feet
- Units per case/pallet12 Pieces/Pack
