How to Paint Base Molding With Carpet

Cut plastic sheeting with scissors into strips 10 inches wide by 5 feet long. The narrow width allows you to work close to the molding without needing to kneel on the sheeting, which can pull it free of the molding and expose the carpet.

Lay the sheeting out the long way next to the wall. Use the putty knife to push down on the edge of the sheeting and gently tuck it beneath the base molding. Repeat this process around the perimeter of the room, overlapping lengths of sheeting as you go to prevent paint from leaking through.

Mask off the wall above the base molding with painters' tape. Purchasing a high quality of tape is an important investment as cheaper brands of tape don't provide the same adhesion and may allow paint to seep under the edge of tape and onto your wall.

Dip the end of the brush in paint, wiping off excess on the edge of the can. Brush paint along the base molding in a horizontal motion for even coverage. Keep the paint brush edge moistened with paint at all times to prevent brush marks. Repeat around the perimeter of the room until all base molding is coated.

Allow paint to dry for 30 minutes, then peel painters' tape off the walls, pulling upwards and outwards. Gently tug plastic sheeting out from under molding, taking care not to touch the painted side to the carpet. The 30 minute waiting period gives the paint time to dry enough that it will not stick to carpet fibers once the plastic sheeting is removed, but not so much that the base molding and sheeting become glued to each other with paint.