How to Paint Wall Edges Cleanly and Beautifully
A lot of first-time painters encounter difficulty when it comes time to paint wall edges, ceiling edges, moldings, and similar areas. After all, you want a straight line of paint that fits perfectly where it should. This doesn’t always happen. It’s easy to mess it up if you don’t know what approach to take.
The best way to paint wall edges beautifully is to hire a painting company for help. Here are a detailed guide on how to paint wall edges cleanly:
1. Cutting the Wall Edges
When we cut in the edge of a wall with a paint brush, this means using a paint brush to paint an area that cannot be reached by a roller. Done correctly, you can easily paint wall edges without dripping, splatter, or less-than-pleasing results. Cutting is done on baseboards, trims, corners, ceiling lines, and wall edges.
2. Get Your Paint Tools Together
Before you paint the wall edges, make sure you get your tools and painting supplies together first. Once you get started, it’s important to keep going and finish the job. You shouldn’t have to constantly be going back for tools. Bring them with you to your work area. You’ll need paint, containers, and a two-angled paint brush.
3. Buy An Angled Paint Brush
A square-edge brush is ok. An angled brush is better. Angled brushes are easier to control and angles also make it easier to get into corners. A smaller angled brush will be needed in tackling average-to-small edges.
4. Pour Paint Into A Small Container
You don’t need a lot of paint to take care of wall edges. You don’t want the brush to be overly heavy or soaking with paint. To minimize the risk of dripping, take paint from the can and gently pour it into a smaller container. You only need about an inch of paint – nothing more than that when getting started.
5. Use A Pencil Grip On Your Paint Brush
Why we use a pencil grip when painting wall edges is to maximize the control on the brush and prevent fatigue. If you haven’t used pencil grip before, cradle the handle between your thumb and index finger. Just like you would holding a pencil in school, your index finger does on the narrow edge of the brush and your thumb on the other side.
6. Dip Your Bristles Into the Paint
Cover your brush bristles in the paint. You only want to cover about a third of the length of the bristles. Be sure to tap off any excess paint. Do this by tapping your brush against the side of the container. Always pat the brush, as tempting as it can be to wipe the brush along the edge of a container. When you pat the brush, you keep the right amount of paint on the brush which provides you the ability to cover more surface on your wall without having to reload.
7. Paint From Top to Bottom
Make a downward brushstroke up to 12 inches long going down the edge or corner. If you’re working at the edge of a ceiling or baseboard, use a horizontal stroke of a similar length. While doing this, erase your brush marks by using the wide edge of your brush. Sweep your brush back and forth over the painted area until the brush marks fully disappear.
8. Work Up To The Line
If you’re cutting against an edge where a straight line is required, start by sweeping into it and unloading some paint onto the wall. Don’t worry about getting close. Then, take a second pass to get the paint closer to the line. You may have to make a third pass to get a straight line just right. This takes some practice but is more easily done with an angled brush. As we’ve mentioned, ensure you have one.
9. Use A Light Touch
Repeat the last step until your wall edges are fully covered in paint and ready to be left alone to dry. Always work from wet areas to dry and keep overlapping each section to reduce the likelihood of marks being left. Also, ensure you aren’t applying too much pressure. A light touch is best to avoid creating drips or having paint ooze from your brush.
10. Wiggle Your Brush into Corners
Some edges are easier to access than others. If you’re working in on a corner edge and can’t naturally reach it, try wiggling the brush in. This will help the paint release into these tight areas. Don’t wiggle it too hard. Just a little is often what you need to get the results you’re looking for.
11. You Don’t Have to Use Tape
A lot of people use tape when they’re painting wall edges and corners but you don’t have to. Masking tape only needs to be applied to the tops of windows, doors, and baseboards to eliminate the possibility to splattering the woodwork. If you aren’t around these things, tape isn’t something you necessarily need to use if you’re working your technique correctly.
12. If in Low Light, Use a Headlamp
Any painter needs to be able to see what they’re doing. If your wall edges aren’t as visible as you’d like, consider purchasing a headlamp. They’re inexpensive and add more visibility to paintwork such as this. You don’t want to leave any details behind that you didn’t intend. Headlamps or natural light that aids your visibility is needed.
