How to Paint Trim White

• Tape off the floor well. If you’re working on a carpeted surface, try to push the tape down underneath the baseboard as far as you can.

• Using your Purdy brush, apply one thin coat of the Zinsser primer. Allow time for the primer to FULLY dry.

• Apply two coats of Ultra White trim paint allowing time between for each coat to fully dry (I know from experience that the paint will peel off easier if you don’t allow it to fully dry).

• Use a caulk gun to repair any areas of the trim that have pulled away from the wall. I prefer to use my bare pointer finger to smooth out the caulk.

• Use your straight edge to cut the tape away from the wall. Skipping this step may result in the tape taking some of the paint with it!

Optional Step Six (if you’re working in a carpeted room)

• If there are any visible areas that need to be retouched, use a joint compound applicator to press down against the carpet towards the baseboard and touch up those spots with a small brush.

Step Seven (final step!): WAX

• Using a cheesecloth and Minwax Paste Finishing Wax, slowly rub in wax along trim. Do not add too much. I would suggest watch a YouTube video for the correct way to apply furniture wax if you have never done this before. This step is ESSENTIAL. It will keep your trim paint from chipping. It was also allow you to clean it better in the future. The more coats of wax, the better! Allow 24-48 hours between each coat. I would suggest two coats! Again, THIS STEP IS CRUCIAL.

• It’s obvious that paint gets all over the wall using this method, but this isn’t an issue if you plan to paint your walls. If you don’t plan to paint your walls, just tape off the top of the baseboard as well.
• If you’re using a brush that’s worn out then you’re going to have brush marks like no tomorrow. I typically use my brush for three rooms and then reserve it ONLY for touch-up jobs. One time I used a worn out brush to paint my sunroom windows, and I ended up having to do a fourth coat because the brush strokes were so bad. Never again!

I really hope these tips and tricks come in handy if you are here to learn how to paint trim white! I’d read horror stories about how torturous painting trim can be, but I found it to be one of the easiest home projects we’ve done so far. Tedious, yes. Difficult, not one bit. Pouring a glass of wine and turning on a podcast or Pandora also made it much less painful. 😉

Here’s a recap of a few of the essentials you’ll need to get started:

• White trim paint (we used Dutch Boy’s Ultra White in a satin finish)
• Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 White Primer for All Surfaces (one gallon was enough to paint our whole home)
• PURDY 2-inch angle brush
• Painter’s Tape (We are SOLD OUT to FrogTape! It’s the best of the best of the best. If you allow it to fully dry before you pull it up, nothing will get through it.)
• White caulk & caulk gun
• Retractable Utility Knife
• Minwax Paste Finishing Wax

Want to see our entire flipped home tour? We’ve painted nearly every square inch of our home, plus many more updates! Click here to see!

 To see our finished kitchen after painting the honey oak white, click here.