room with blue walls

How to paint your baseboards

house Victoria Sanchez Jun 19, 2021

Simple things such as your baseboards can go unnoticed until you have company over. Personally mine were pretty banged up and I never paid much attention until I started preparing the house for a gathering over the weekend. If wiping them down doesn't take off the scuff marks your best bet to update the baseboard would be to give them a nice fresh coat of paint, it is one of the best cosmetic improvements you can make in a room. Painted baseboards will help the space shine like nothing before! I will note if you are painting a room completely, we recommend painting the baseboards last! Below you can find easy steps to paint them and still have time to prepare for your gathering!

  • Step 1: Clean previously painted baseboards

    This area is so critical to clean!! Dirt and grime collect at the bottom of walls, making this one of the dirtiest parts of the home! Take a wash rag and clean with your choice of cleaner, i like to stick to the classics such as pine sol or fabuloso.. Make sure to clean the top lining of the baseboard, as dust collects on horizontal surfaces.

  • Step 2: Patch any indents or nail depressions

    Before we get to the fun part, painting, you will want to patch and fill those bags and holes that are so easily developed over time. Especially if you have a large family like myself, our baseboards were looking pretty beat up before this project! You can use wood filler and apply with a putty knife.

  • Step 3: Lightly sand

    If you did any significant patching or the baseboards are old you will want to smooth them out with fine grit sandpaper before priming. Sanding is also more important with old baseboards that have several coats of paint. You will not need any special tools, hand sanding is fine.

  • Step 4: Cover the walls and floor

    Apply painters tape to desired areas, remember the more the better! I have had my share of not applying enough painters tape! It can be time consuming but your finished product will be well worth it in the end! You will want to put the tape along the edge of the wall and on the floor between the baseboard. You definitely still want to be careful when applying the paint, because excessive slop on the flooring-side masking tape will make it difficult to remove the tape after the paint dries. For added precaution you can lay canvas drop cloth to protect your floors.

  • Step 5: Prime the baseboards

    Baseboards that do not have factory applied primer and have a raw wood surface should always be primed before painting! This step isn't always necessary if the cleaned surface is in good condition. If in fact you will need primer, apply primer and let dry as guided by the manufacturer.

  • Step 6: Paint the baseboards

    Ahh! The best part! Prepping takes more time than actually painting! But we made it! Make sure and shake your can of paint and also give it a nice stir. Avoid overloading your paint brush with paint, this could lead to many different problems. For your first coat use less paint than you think you may need. Try to keep a wet edge to prevent lap marks. After your paint has dried apply a second coat. Wait for the paint to dry as directed then remove the painter's tape.

  • Step 7: Enjoy!

    I don't know about you but my home feels brand new by such a simple update!

    One more thing, while we are on the topic of baseboards you might want to caulk them! Many homes have baseboards with gaps either at the top or bottom. Baseboard gaps are not just unattractive; they can affect your home's capacity for heating or cooling since they can allow drafts to enter the home. One popular solution is to caulk the baseboards.

    We hope you found this blog helpful in your painting journey! If you have any questions please feel free to call or email us here at Honey Do Painting!