How to paint doors, casing and baseboards yourself: step by step
Enamel on trim, thin coats, after the trim is installed and caulked.
Difficulty 2 of 5 · about half a day · you can do this
See it in your own room — freePhoto of your room, the look you pick, then this guide with the materials counted for your room.
What you need
- Trim enamel, semi-gloss or satin
- Acrylic latex caulk (paintable)
- Painter's tape 1.5"
Tools
- 2–2.5" angled brush
- Caulk gun
- Sawhorses (for doors)
Step by step
Step 1 of 4
Tape the wall along the baseboard and casing
Tape goes on the wall, not on the trim.
Step 2 of 4
Caulk the baseboard–wall and casing–wall joints
Run a bead, smooth it with a wet finger. Let it dry 1 hour. Without this there is a dark gap along the whole baseboard.
Step 3 of 4
Brush on enamel in thin coats, along the length
Two coats, spacing per the can.
Step 4 of 4
Doors: take them off the hinges and paint flat on sawhorses
No drips when the door is horizontal. Order: panels, then rails, then stiles.
Common mistakes
- Painting the baseboard before caulking. A dark gap along the whole baseboard. Caulk the joint, let it dry, then paint.
- Thick enamel coat. Drips, and it stays soft for weeks. Thin coats, along the length.