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How to paint trims

Person putting painters tape on the wall.

Overview

A fresh coat of paint is an easy way to keep the trims around your door frames always looking their best. We'll show you how to prepare the wood trim for painting, plus how to apply the undercoat and topcoat. Then you’ll be ready to refresh your window frames and window trim, too!

Steps

1

Put down drop sheets

Before you begin the painting process, put down a drop sheet to protect your floors. Take off the doorstop and use a putty knife to fill any dents or holes with putty. Give the existing trim a light sand. Then use a cloth or damp rag to clean off any dust before you start painting.
Drop sheet on the floor.

2

Tape around the trim

Tape edges on the wall around the trim first – this will help prevent getting any excess paint on it when you're painting. If you do end up with accidental drips or splatters of paint on walls or the floor, just quickly wipe them off with a damp sponge or damp rag.
Person putting painters tape on the wall.

3

Stir the paint

So you’ve picked out the best paint for the doors and trim to complement your wall colour and cornice or crown molding – now it’s time to get painting. Stir your paint well before you use it. Make sure your room is well-ventilated and wear your dust mask.
Person stirring paint.

4

Pour some paint into a smaller pot

Pour some of the wall paint into a smaller pot or paint tray – this will make it more portable and easier to manage when you're up a ladder.
Person pouring paint into a smaller bucket.

5

Apply the undercoat

Make sure you've got a good-quality angled brush to paint the trim with. It's a good idea to paint your edges first and then your flat faces. For a smooth finish without visible brush marks, use long brush strokes, working from the top down to the bottom. Just like when you’re painting the walls, it’s best to work in small sections and make sure all areas have equal coverage.
Person painting trims.

6

Leave to dry and sand

In any paint job, after the first coat, it’s important to allow enough drying time before you apply a second coat. When you’ve finished the undercoat, let the paint dry and then lightly sand before applying the topcoat.
Person sanding door trims.

7

Stir the topcoat

Stir your topcoat paint and pour some into a small bucket or paint tray to make it more portable and easier to use while you're up a ladder. In this example, we've chosen a semi-gloss enamel for the topcoat as it's very durable.
Paint brush in a tin of paint.

8

Apply the topcoat

Apply the topcoat in same way as the undercoat. Start with the fiddly bits and edges first. Work in long strokes from top to bottom. Then wait until the paint is completely dry before peeling off your masking tape.
Person painting with overcoat.
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.