How To Paint Perfect Edges
Posted on: 4 October 2017
It can be hard to motivate yourself to get started on home remodels. Often, you end up spending your time and money on other things. But, if you have some free time over the weekend and a little bit of cash, painting your kitchen is a cheap and simple upgrade. Interior painting is mostly very simple work, but there are certain aspects of the job that require a little bit of training and practice. This article explains how to create perfect edges.
The difficulty and best techniques for creating perfect edges depends on the material you are painting on. For instance, to create edges along drywall next to wooden molding, you will use a different technique then painting edges in a drywall corner.
Drywall With Wood Molding Corners
Creating clean paint edges along your molding, whether it be baseboard or crown, is usually quite simple. The smooth surface of the wood, especially if the edges are caulked with silicone, means that it can be taped off very easily. Since the material is so smooth, the tape will stick well and you won't need to worry about bleeds.
Taping Off Drywall
However, tape does not work if you are trying to create a straight line in the middle of drywall, or in a corner. It doesn't stick as well to the porous, textured surface of drywall. Usually, if you just tape off drywall and then paint over it, there's a good chance that the paint will seep underneath the tape as it dries.
To combat this, you can strengthen your tape with a little bit of lightweight spackling paste before painting. Basically, you just use your finger to apply the paste onto the tape line. You rub it on his thinly as possible, so as to not change the texture of the wall. Even a tiny amount of paste will fill in the crevices and air pockets where you might otherwise have issues with paint bleeds.
Freehanding Lines
It is also important to mention painting by freehand or cutting in. This technique is often necessary if your wall runs into a surface that can't be taped off. However, if you are going to try and freehand a straight line, you need to practice beforehand. It is better to be safe than sorry, and always give yourself some extra space so you don't get paint onto the other surface.
Most likely, you will need to use all 3 of these techniques around your house. Contact companies like Callier Thompson Kitchen & Bath for more information.
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