I posted this on the remodel board and then realized there was a painting board!:

Dumb question, but I need to get a real coat of paint on my trim--it's only been primered. I also have paint to finally paint the walls which are also still in primer. Which do I paint first? If I do the trim, how long do I have to wait before using masking tape to paint the walls, or should I just be careful with a cut-in brush and skip masking all together. Ditto with painting the walls first. Any helpful hints?

When I painted...I did the walls first and then the next day I taped along the trim and painted the trim...

it was easier for me...i painted the walls a light color so it was no big deal that i got it on the moulding. i painted the mouldings white...

I paint the walls and then the trim, but if you are going to use tape, DEFINITELY do not use masking tape.

depends on what you are used to; some do trim first and some do walls first.

We paint trim first then walls. Reson being it's easy to cut in along the trim with wall paint but hard to paint the trim edges without getting trim paint on the wall. We only blue tape the base molding or chair rail we free hand along the sides of trim

Yep, trim first.

Looks like we need a tie-breaker here. Most painters would paint the trim first, like we love painting stated, because it's easier to cut-in the wall and/or ceiling. If you're going to tape... it really doesn't matter. If you must tape... I'd let it cure for at least 2 days if you're using a latex (overnight probably won't be long enough), longer for oil. You could also try a low tack tape (green or purple). Truth is some paints are better than others in regards to their binders. Test an area prior to painting and don't let the tape stay on too long.

Thanks for all your posts. Of course, I haven't even started yet! At first it made the most sense to do the wall first and then the trim, but I could totally see myself getting trim paint all over the wall. So....I think I am going to trim it first. I will probably tape the ceiling but just cut into the trim, unless I have more time between parts to let the trim cure, then I may tape that as well. I hate taping, so we'll see...
Thanks!

We paint trim last usually because of paint drips from rolling out the wall - saves using expensive painters tape if not needed. But if you need to tape anyway to get clean lines - it will be easier to paint trim first - allow to dry then tape off and paint the walls. We will use tape if the trim is not being painted because of splatter from rolling out the walls.

I've been told by several that earn their living at painting.. trim first.. but most DIY will do the walls first... and it it easier to tape off the trim than to tape the wall ...

I have to laugh at this, Real Painters don't tape the trim off unless they are planning on spraying it, We always roll out ceilings and then walls, after we cut the trim in with a brush we don't use tape, unless there is something like cabinets that don't get paint, then we use tape, but if you can't use a brush to cut in the trim then you need to keep your day job and leave the painting to Real Painters.

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