Recoating Trim With a Hardwood Floor

Floor Protection

• Protect the wood floors before you begin recoating the trim. Lay a plastic or burlap painter's tarp over the entire floor surface. Placing a tarp only in the area you are working doesn't protect the rest of the floor from paint tracked around on your shoes. Use painter's tape to adhere the tarp to the floor and place it snug against the baseboard trim. The adhesive on painter's tape peels off without leaving residue behind on your wood floors. Use the painter's tape to block off any surface, including walls and windows, that are near the trim but doesn't require painting.

Trim Preparation

• Preparation depends on the state of the previous trim coating. Rough, peeling varnish or paint requires removal before you can paint over it. Use a commercial paint thinner and a scraper to remove the old paint from the trim. Keep the stripper container closed between uses, as it can seep through the painter's tarp and ruin the finish on the flooring beneath if it's accidentally spilled. If the previous coating on the trim is in good repair, a coating of primer or rubbing it lightly with sandpaper helps the new paint coat adhere to it. Fill any crack or gaps in the trim with a wood putty after removing the old paint but before applying a primer.

Application

• Use a quality paint brush to recoat trim. A narrow 2-inch wide brush works well for most baseboards and door trim sizes, but a wider or narrower brush may be necessary depending on the width of the trim. An angled brush allows you to paint near the edges of the trim accurately, reducing streaks and drips on the walls and floors. Use a small tipped paint brush to get the paint into narrow spaces, such as corners, along the edges of the trim, or in decorative bevels. Paint a single thin coat onto the trim and allow it to dry completely before applying the second coat. Applying an initial thick coat of paint causes dripping and running that can seep under the floor tarp.

Cleanup

• Even with proper floor protection and paint application, some paint splatters may make their way onto the hardwood floor. Remove the tarp and painter's tape as soon as the trim paint dries and inspect the floor for damage. Dampen a cloth in a paint remover and rub it over the paint spots until they are gone. Wipe the floor with a clean, damp cloth to remove the paint remover residue. Wood floors require immediate drying to prevent warping and damage to the finish. If the stain or finish on the floor was removed with the paint splatters, stain the area with a stain that matches the finish on the rest of the floor.