Experienced painters:painting walls with multiple colors, how do I get a clean edge?

[mamaheids]

DH and I have been painting some accent walls using dark colors and have tried to use 2 different edging tools-our lines look HORRIBLE. We are either painting the ceiling or not getting close enough and leaving a white line at the tops of the walls and there are smears where corners meet. Does anyone have any suggestions of a different tool or technique to use? Thanks for the help!

[Bekka]

painter's tape? We have had the best results with easy-release or sensitive surface tape (60 day not 14 day). You could line it up with a level if you need to.

[MisaGoat]

1) Tape! Carefully tape the edge of the ceiling or trim. Make sure the tape is straight.

2) Use an angled paint brush to paint and paint horizontal to the edge. I'll see if I can find a youtube video or good instructions of what I mean.

I've never used edging tools, just the two items above. Neither are foolproof. I think tape works best for inexperienced painters. When I was painting more frequently, I had a much steadier brush technique and didn't need to tape off edges.

Video: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb...el=fh_learnhow

Pay attention to the part about "cutting in" it is about 2:30 into the video.

Directions: http://homerenovations.about.com/od/...cutinpaint.htm

[lifeguard]

A GREAT quality angled brush. It makes all the difference from a cheap brush. Taping takes so long but it can really help as well.

[nd_deadhead]

I don't like to tape, but I'm blessed with a very steady hand. A high-quality angled brush is all I use.

At the ceiling, err on the side of getting a little paint on the ceiling instead of leaving a white spot on the wall - especially with an accent wall of a darker color. Unles it's a huge spot (which you might have to paint over), you aren't likely to notice a spot on the ceiling unless you're right under it; a missed spot on the wall will show from across the room.

My Mom's solution was not the cheapes, but it was certainly the most effective. She has a dark accent wall in her living room. She bought a corner molding, had a carpenter friend miter the corners for her, and painted them the same color as the accent wall. When she mounted the molding along the ceiling and walls, she had perfectly straight lines! It's beautiful, and adds a little more of a decorative touch to the accent wall besides.

[Caneel]

I think edging tools are cr*p. I have tried many versions over the years.

I tape. My favorite tape is Frog Tape, that is the brand names and the tape is green. I make sure to smooth the edges down very well and I keep my brush load very light at the edge. I do two or three light passes rather than one heavy pass at the edge.

Most of my painting has been in old houses where corners and edges aren't true. When painting our dining room dark green, I was driven mad by the wave-y-ness of the point where the wall met the ceiling.

NowI use a level and mark off a straight line across the wall as close as I can get to the celing. Everything above that line is ceiling, everything below is wall.

[sunnysandiegan]

One additional tip: stop painting just before the very top of the wall. "Cutting in" doesn't require the brush itself go ALL THE WAY to the ceiling. It is harder to explain this in typed words than showing someone in person. I don't tape because our walls are so heavily textured the paint inevitably seeps under the tape. Edging tools are gimmicks, imo. I use an angled Purdy 1-inch brush with long bristles appropriate for the type of paint I am using and start painting a tad below the "cut-in" line from rollering in order to blend the paint from the roller work up to the ceiling. The other thing is to keep as close to the roller work as possible to have a wet edge for a smoother finish. I stop just short of the ceiling and kind of nudge the paint up the last centimeter instead of actually getting the bristles up in the very crack. Like a PP mentioned, though, it is far better to err on the ceiling than the wall. The ceiling is FAR less noticeable unless you are directly underneath the spot AND looking straight up. LOL

If you do make a mistake, either wipe off the wet paint IMMEDIATELY (it often comes completely clean, even dark and/or bright colors) OR wait until it is COMPLETELY DRY and then paint over it. Using a smaller brush gives you more control, but takes longer. I balance it out based on how nice I want the room (or specific area) to look. I hunted down a 1/4-inch flat brush for our living room last month in certain areas.

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by nd_deadhead

I don't like to tape, but I'm blessed with a very steady hand. A high-quality angled brush is all I use.

The times I've tried taping, the paint has seeped under and given me a much worse line than painting free hand. I don't know how people get good results with tape...

[patricegonzales]

Tape, then run a tiny bead of caulk along the tape and run your finger down the caulk to smear the caulk just barley over the edge of the tape. Does that make sense? Then when you paint, go over onto the tape a bit.
This worked when we painted the top half of a wall white and the bottom blue, Perfect!

[crl]

Just a good angled brush has worked best for me. Tape and edging tools have never worked well for me.

Catherine