How to Cut in Along Ceilings

Changing the wall color is a quick and inexpensive way to breathe new life into a room. Throw down a drop cloth, throw up some paint, and it's done. Well, after you make a few minor wall repairs, tape off the woodwork, remove light switch and outlet plates and take care of that pesky cutting in -- then it's done. Cutting in is the technique of brushing paint into the areas where a roller can't reach, such as along baseboards, windows and the line where the top of the wall meets the ceiling.

Container
Angled brush
Damp rag

Instructions

- 1
  Pour approximately 1/2 pint of paint into a clean container.
- 2
  Dip an angled brush into the paint about half way down the bristles. Wipe both sides of the brush against the container to remove excess paint. If paint drips from your brush when you hold it up to the ceiling the brush is overloaded.
- 3
  Position the brush so that the longest bristles are on your left. Press the bristle tips into the crease between ceiling and wall. Slide the brush to the right along the crease, keeping the tips steady. Wipe up any mistakes immediately with a wet cloth.
- 4
  Slide the brush over the fresh paint a second time to smooth out the paint and remove any thick lines. Paint a 1- to 2-inch strip at the top of the wall and paint the rest of the wall with a roller.

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