When installing new moulding, taking a little extra time with the painting process can improve the longevity of the finish as well as enhance the beauty of the trim.
We asked Ron Jacques, a professional painter with over 30 years experience in this field, to share his methods of finishing wood trim.
Vacuum the trim thoroughly. Avoid wiping with a damp cloth as this will raise the grain of the wood.
Select a good quality wood primer/sealer such as Acryl Lok or X.I.M.U.M.A. available at hardware stores and quality paint retailers. Avoid drywall primer, as it is not formulated to properly seal wood. Do not thin the primer.
Apply with an appropriate brush, provide an even coat and brush lengthwise with the grain, brushing back into the wet paint.
After the primer has dried completely, use a standard spackling compound to fill any holes or imperfections. Sand using a quality sanding sponge with medium grit paper. Apply light pressure, going lengthwise in the direction of the grain. Take care to not sand right through the primer. A dust mask is always recommended while sanding.
Run your hand over the surface to check for any missed areas. The surface should feel uniformly smooth.
Vacuum up the dust and then run a tack cloth over all surfaces.
If you are finishing the trim in place (not on a bench), now it is time to caulk. Installed trim is very rarely completely flush to the wall. Use painter's caulk to fill the gaps between the trim and the wall. Ensure that you are only filling gaps and do not leave any excess caulk or beading on the surface of the wood. Allow sufficient time for the caulking to set completely before applying the top coat.
People often ask about oil paint versus latex paint. Oil paint is the most durable finish but the trade-off is that the application requires more skill and experience. Latex paint is easier to apply and is reasonably durable, so if you haven't worked a lot with oil-based paints, use a latex paint.
More importantly, make sure you use a good quality paint and superior brush that is designed for the type of paint you are using.
When selecting sheen, remember that high gloss will make any imperfections more visible. Velvet, eggshell and semi-gloss sheens will do a better job at hiding imperfections.
For oil paint, thin the 1st coat with kerosene by about 5% (50 ml per litre). It won't thin the color and it will make the application smoother and easier to spread. The thinning helps the paint level out and provides extra "wet time". Apply going with the grain and brush back into wet area. Don't over brush.
For latex paint, use straight from the can without thinning. Using a brush designed for use with latex paint, apply going with the grain and brush back into the wet area; avoid over brushing.
When paint has dried thoroughly, sand lightly, vacuum dust and wipe surfaces with a tack cloth.
For oil paint, thin the final coat by 2.5% (25 ml per litre) – just a few drops. Latex paint does not require thinning. Apply finish coat using the same brushing methods as previously described for the topcoat.
Article courtesy of:
Ron Jacques
Organic Painting Technologies
Mountain, Ontario
Phone: (613) 989-2127
