Painting Wood Trim in Calabasas, CA; Exterior House Cleaning, Sanding, Applying Primer & More

Time, effort, and money are expected when you want to replace the wood trim. However, painting the trim offers more dynamics and is a much better solution to the alternative of utter neglect and premature replacement. Professionals can make a quick project out of it and is most often cheaper than doing it yourself as we do it right the first time, have access to discounted materials as we buy in bulk and have the necessary experience. However, some homeowners prefer doing home improvement projects in their home to not always save money but to have the pride and ownership of accomplishing a project. Today, we at McKay’s Painting would like to relate some wood trim painting basics to help you on your quest.

Exterior Lead Paint Removal

Where professionals know the procedure for treating the old trim and preparing it for the new paint, there are some factors you need to consider before tackling the job to ensure the finished result is a high quality. Keep in mind however, if any element of your deck or wood trim inside or outside was painted with lead paint, which would be likely used before 1979, the process of removing it is a safety hazard and needs to be done professionally.

Exterior Trim & House Cleaning

Before anything else is to be done, the trim pieces will need to be cleaned. The dust or residue buildup will not allow the paint to adhere to the surface. A slightly abrasive sponge is adequate to clean the wood and remove stubborn buildup. Consider using 2 buckets and 2 sponges, one set for washing, and the other set to rinse the wood well. Change the water if necessary as it becomes grimy. The trim that experiences a lot of contact such as windows, door frames, around door handles and knobs as well as any surrounding plugs or outlets will need extra attention as seeing the most buildup. These pieces often become greasy and accumulate more dirt and debris.

How to Sand Exterior Wood Trim

Sanding is designed to remove the glossy surfaces to ensure the primer and paint are able to stick to the wood. Previously painted wood trim may need more labor with years of extra old paint buildup. In any area that seem gummy, use a no-clog sandpaper. A fine 180 grit sandpaper to smooth the surface is generally adequate and the coarse sandpaper is good on the large globs of old paint. Additionally, a sanding block or sponge can make the sanding easier, but this step is fairly labor intensive. The sanding dust will need be cleared from the surface; using a wet/dry vac that have extra suctioning power can make this step less tiresome. Use the brush attachment to loosen any stuck dust. Spackle and fill the minor holes and add wood fillers. Sand the repaired areas lightly to smooth the surface.

Do You Need Primer Before Painting Bare Wood Trim?

If you did not remove the trim for cleaning, sanding, and prepping, be sure to use the painter tape to cover the edges of the walls and ceiling and place protection around the flooring, such as a drop cloth or plastic. Select a 3” angled, or the size appropriate for your trim, and apply the primer. If you had stains on the wood that wouldn’t sand out, make sure your primer is stain blocking. After the primer is dry (allow at least 24 hours), apply 2 coats of paint. Keep in mind, the areas with spackling or wood filler may need another touch of primer. Once the paint is full dry, remove the painter tape and drop cloth and enjoy your master piece.

Exterior Painting & More in Ventura, Ojai, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills & Santa Barbara California

McKay’s Painting can get your trim repainted quickly and efficiently, saving you hard work, time and money. Call us today to schedule your consultation!