How to Paint Trim a Flat White

Wash the trim with a damp sponge. Rinse the sponge frequently to remove dust.

Run a strip of tape on the floors and walls next to your trim. If the walls are coated with the same paint, you only need to focus on protecting the floor.

Place plastic sheeting on the floor. Tack it down with tabs of tape to keep it from shifting.

Lightly sand the trim with sandpaper. Run a damp sponge over the trim to remove dust and grit.

Paint a coat of primer over the trim. Use a primer formulated for raw wood if your trim is new and unpainted. If you are priming over previously painted trim, an all-purpose primer is fine. Use an angled sash brush to help you paint along curved silhouettes with ease. Allow the primer to dry.

Lightly sand the primed trim. Wipe off any dust before painting.

Apply flat, white paint with the angled brush. Work from left to right. Paint a 6-inch section of trim and them smooth it out with a long brushstroke. Reduce visible brushstrokes by going over each section with a final stroke from right to left.

View the trim after the first coat of paint is dry. Decide if you need to apply a second coat of flat paint. Painting white paint over white primer may provide your trim with enough paint coverage.

Remove the strips of tape. Discard the plastic sheeting or save it for a future project. If you are saving the drop cloths, you should shake them off outside to dislodge dried paint spatters.