How to Paint Wood Baseboards

A well-maintained home interior is more than just aesthetics; it's a reflection of your lifestyle and care for your living space. One often-overlooked element that can significantly impact the overall appearance of your home is the baseboards. These seemingly simple strips of wood can become dinged, scratched, and discolored over time, detracting from your room's overall cleanliness and neatness.

However, painting baseboards is not a task to be rushed. It requires patience, precision, and a keen eye for detail. A poorly executed paint job can leave your baseboards looking patchy, uneven, or, even worse, damaged. By following a few simple steps and taking the time to do the job right, you can achieve a professional-quality finish that will enhance the beauty of your home for years to come.

Hello there!

I've been MIA for quite some time, and believe me, it was the time I took to paint all the baseboards on the second level of our home. What can I say? I'm a slow poke. 🙈

As you might remember from previous posts, we upgraded that entire level to hardwood floors and chunkier baseboards. Oh, I'm loving them. They brought a brighter look to the rooms and, in general, a whole new vibe.

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The one downside, however, was the condition of the baseboards and trim. When the baseboards were installed, they only had the coat of primer the manufacturer applied. 

From far away, they looked OK, but up close, you can see the marks and dull finish they wore.

After several months of delaying this task, it was about time to turn things around and give this entire level another layer of prettiness.

I'm a regular homeowner who likes to tackle home improvement jobs around my home. Painting isn't my cup of tea, but I wanted to cross this job off my to-do list and end up with decent-looking baseboards.

Well, now that all the baseboards are painted, I'm happy to report that they look better than ever. All my time and effort have paid off, as my new baseboards sport that professional-looking finish I was after.

Are you ready to paint the baseboards in your home?

My first advice is to arm yourself with patience, attention to detail, and good-quality painting materials. Haha, well, yeah, let me tell you about those!

Tools and Materials

• Primer (specifically designed for wood)
• Paint (satin or semi-gloss finish is recommended for baseboards)
• Paintbrushes (2-2.5 inch good quality angle brush is a must for baseboards)
• Painter's tape
• Sandpaper (120-220 grit)
• Drop cloths
• Paint tray or bucket
• Foetrol (a paint conditioner that improves paint flow and workability. I added 3/4 of the product's bottle cap to a gallon of paint, which is a minimal amount)
• Good lighting
• Knee pads

|   Foetrol   |    BM - Chantilly Lace - Semi-Gloss    |   Bucket   |

Preparation is Key

• Move furniture off the walls: Bring all furnishings to the center of the room and remove any objects that might prevent you from comfortably reaching those baseboards. Hold long curtains high up while the painting is finished. 

• Clean the baseboards: Remove dirt, grease, and grime with a mild detergent and water.

• Fill and sand: Use wood filler to repair any dents or holes. Once dry, sand the filled areas smooth. Clean.

• Tape off: Use painter's tape to protect walls, floors, and other surfaces. Press the tape firmly for a clean line.

• Cover the floor: Use either a drop cloth, rosin paper, or plastic drop cloth, securing it to the floor with masking tape.

Painting Techniques

• Brush or roller: A high-quality angled brush is ideal for detailed areas, while a small foam roller can be used for larger sections. I stuck to my high-quality paintbrushes for the entirety of this job. They provide an excellent application, and if you have a steady hand, you won't even need to use tape on the wall. Too bad for me.

• Apply a primer: Apply a coat of primer to the baseboards. This will ensure better adhesion and an improved finish of the top coat.

| Corona Vegas Paint Brush |

• Thin Coats: Apply thin, even coats of paint. Overloading the brush can lead to drips and runs, so thin coats are your best bet.

• Wet edges: To avoid lap marks, maintain a wet edge by blending each new stroke into the previous one.

• Use a steady hand: Steady and gentle brush strokes will give you a flawless finish. 

• Let it dry: I waited 24 hours for the first coat of paint to dry completely before continuing with the next step.

• Lightly sand rough spots: After the first coat of paint has dried, use 220-grid sandpaper to smooth out imperfections.

• Clean the baseboards: I removed dust particles using a microfiber cloth, followed by a tack cloth, before giving them another coat.

• Two coats: Apply a second coat after the first has dried entirely for optimal coverage.

Additional Tips

• Cut in first: Use a brush to paint the edges and corners before rolling the larger areas. Again, I don't trust my hand; it's so unsteady. Using tape was my best bet.

• Light and even pressure: Apply paint with consistent pressure to avoid brushstrokes.

• Let dry completely: Allow ample drying time between coats.

• Remove the tape carefully. Wait for the paint to get slightly tacky before removing it to prevent peeling.

• Touch-ups: Inspect the finished job for imperfections and touch up as needed.

This is the difference that two good coats of quality paint will bring to your baseboards:

Here, at the other end of this room.

By following these steps, you can achieve a flawless finish when painting baseboards in your rooms.

Hey,  I'm now tackling the doors and trim. 😝

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