Painting New Walls Before Installing a Baseboard Trim

Remove any electrical covers with a screwdriver.

Sand the walls with a pole sander outfitted with 120-grit sandpaper. Move the sander from side to side with medium pressure.

Clear all dust and debris from the walls with a vacuum hose extension.

Mix a few drops of mild dish-washing liquid and water in a bucket. Use the solution and a cellulose sponge to wipe away dust and debris from the walls. Allow the walls to dry thoroughly before you proceed.

Smooth painter's tape over any trim. Put dropcloths over the floor and anything near the walls.

Mix the paint with a stirring stick, and pour it into a paint pan.

Paint along the edges of the walls with a paintbrush.

Dip a paint roller into the pan, and coat it evenly with paint. Roll it back and forth across the pan's grate to get rid of excess paint.

Apply the paint to the walls in 3-foot by 3-foot "W" shapes. Work in reverse over the "W" pattern without lifting the roller until the entire area is filled in with paint. Continue painting more "W" shapes until all the walls are painted.

Paint each baseboard with a paintbrush.

When the paint has dried completely, install the baseboard trim at the bottom of each wall.