Prepping Trim and Woodwork

Interior

Exterior

Concrete

What you'll need:

Here's everything you'll need to get it right the first time.

Paint brushes and rollers
Foam pad
Trim brushes
Edge pads
Drop cloths
Edge rollers

Woodwork and molding:

Proper preparation is critical when painting woodwork—the touch-ups you do here will create the smooth surface you seek once it is painted.

Fill in dents and rebuild chipped corners with wood filler.
Use patching compound on scratches and smaller cracks.
Sand the dry surface with 180-grit paper and wipe away the dust.
Use a hand vacuum with a brush attachment to clean dust and debris from woodwork and door frames.

Tip: With contoured or intricate trim or molding, use a sanding sponge rather than sandpaper. The sponge gets at places the paper can't reach, resulting in a more uniformly smooth surface.

Bare woodwork: Use a latex or oil-based specialty primer that is formulated to block stains.

Glossy painted surfaces:

Prime your glossy surfaces to promote adhesion of the top coat.

There are three ways to prime a glossy surface:

Use a latex or oil-based primer formulated for glossy surface adhesion.
Use a liquid deglosser, following all label instructions.
Scuff the surface with 180-grit sandpaper. The scuffing will help the new paint adhere better. Before painting, wash the surface with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or substitute according to the manufacturer’s instructions; rinse with water and let dry.

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