The Best Ways to Paint a Clean Edge
The place where one color meets another can make or break your paint job. The professionals call this cutting in, and when done right, this may be the best way to achieve a professional look. With the right tools and techniques, you can have a crisp edge that will mimic the work of professional painters.
Method 1: Cut in Paint
This process requires a steady hand and some practice, but it is also the fastest way to get the best result for every painting idea. This is the reason you will see professional painters use this technique.When you cut in paint, the quality of your brush will make a big difference in the process, so you need to choose a brush with bristles cut at an angle. A brush with a short handle and a head width of 2 to 3 inches is usually a good all-purpose cut-in brush. Once you have the brush, follow these steps to cut in a paint line.
- Step 1: Hold the paintbrush like a pencil but don't let your fingers curve over the brush. The base of the handle, where it widens for the bristles to attach, should set right into the nook between your thumb and index finger with the handle rising above your hand.
- Step 2: Dip the brush into the paint about ¾ of the way up the bristles.
- Step 3: Wipe off most of the paint from the sides of the brush.
- Step 4: Use only the tip of the brush to paint your line. Don't cut in your line by placing all the bristles on the line. Instead, hold the brush at about a 45-degree angle to the edge and slowly draw the tip of the brush along the edge.
When you follow these steps, the entire brush paints a strip of new paint, but only the outside tip creates the crisp edge. If this process still scares you and it doesn't seem like the way you want to paint a room, don't worry. There are other ways to get a clean line.
Method 2: Get a Clean Edge with Painters Tape
Most people think that a good painters tape will give them a clean line no matter what they do. That, however, is far from the truth. You have to use good taping procedures and painting techniques to have the professional result you want.First of all, make sure you are using actual painters tape, not just any masking tape that is lying around. This tape is specifically designed to release from the wall after painting without leaving residue or pulling up the previous paint on the wall. Once you have the right tape, you are ready to learn how to paint around it.
Using a brush, not a roller, begin with a very light coat of paint. Start the stroke on the tape itself and pull in onto the section you wish to paint. Performing this step at an angle will help to ensure that the tape does not move while you paint. Once this light coat has dried, it will create a seal that will help keep any bleeding under the tape. Now you can use a roller if you wish for your heavier coats.
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Method 3: Edging Tools
When you use these paint edging tools, you will want to consider two things. First, the tools primarily rest upon the high points of the wall. If your wall is not straight, by design or patching, the paint may bleed under the tool at the low points. This is typically an issue on walls that have a heavy texture.
Second, the paint that the guard keeps from going across your line will start to build up on the guard. The paint may drip down the front of the guard and leave an imprint on the wall under the line the next time you press it against your work. Additionally, the excess paint can drip onto the floor or onto you. The best way to combat this is to wipe down the guide continually.