4 Tips for Using a Trim Guard During a Painting Project
A trim guard is often a neglected piece of tool that comes in very handy when doing a paint job. Whether you are restoring or completely changing the color of a room, painting will make a great impact. To make the results more refined, you should make use of certain painting tools, such as a trim guard. It can both save time and improve results.
What is a Trim Guard?
A trim guard is handy tool that helps in painting trims. Look for it at the painting section or ask the staff where to find one. This tool will only cost you a few bucks but the results are rewarding. It makes painting trims, baseboards, moldings and dividers a very easy task. You'll be able to avoid dripping or running paint on another surface. It will prevent paint on the floors or the walls. It also gives you a sharper and cleaner edge that looks professionally done. Here are 4 tips for using a trim guard during a painting project.
1. Press the Trim Guard against the opposite Surface
When using a trim guard, you should press it against the surface opposite the area you are painting. For example, if you are painting a baseboard, press the trim guard against the floor or carpet when you're painting the bottom part of the baseboard trim. When you're ready to paint the top part of the baseboard, press the trim guard against the wall. This way, the paint won't brush on the floor or the wall.
TIP: Ed Kimble, our painting expert, notes that trim guards aren't always perfect. In addition to using a trim guard when you're painting, you should also "mask the floor under baseboards with masking tape."
2. Keep the Trim Guard Clean
When working with a trim guard, it's important that you keep it clean at all times. Make sure to have a paper towel, wipes or work cloth handy while you're painting. Keep your towel close because you'll use it every step of the way. When you press your trim guard against the surface and drag your brush to paint that edge or trim, it's highly likely that you'll get paint in your trim guard. When you move your trim guard to the next area, you might stain the surface with the paint from the trim guard. To address this, make sure to wipe your trim guard every time you're moving on to the next area to be painted. This will prevent paint stains on the floor or walls.
3. Using Trim Guard in Wind
The same goes when you're painting the window trims. Press the trim guard against the glass or the window case when you're painting the window trims or dividers. Just place your trim guard parallel the window divider or trim and you're ready to paint.
4. Painting Window Trims
One thing you have to consider when painting window trims or dividers is to start from the center. Position the end of your trim guard in the corner so you'll have the starting point of the trim at the center. Press it against the window trim and start painting from the center as you work your way to the edge. Don't drag the brush back towards the center because the corner can scrape off the paint and drip or run it on the glass of the windows.
TIP: Ed suggests that when painting window trim "it is best to paint 1/16 of an inch onto the glass to make a seal under the trim and on the part of the glass under the trim which cannot be seen." He also points out: "After the paint is dry, cut the overlap off with a single edge razor blade. Do not allow the paint to stay on the glass too long or it will become very hard and difficult to cut off."
