how to paint on the baseboard

[cool]

hi,

thanks for all your great help.
i painted my rooms now.
i've small baseboard, i don't think its actually real baseboard small wood all around the floors in my room.

it is in wood color now and i want to change it to ultra pure white as i'm not spending money to put real baseboard for the time being.

but there's carpet underneath and would touch the paint on the carpet. what would be the best option for me to paint those small baseboard when there's carpet.

would be great to hear any suggestions.

thanks much.

[marksr]

You can either tape the carpet [don't overload the paint, it might seep under the tape] or use a shield to hold the carpet back [make sure you wipe it clean everytime you move it] If there is varnish on the baseboard be sure to sand and prime with oil base.

[cool]

thanks Marksr for your suggestion.
i'll do what you said.

is that shield i can buy in homedepot. sorry i'm too newbie here to answer my question. and does it called shield?

thanks

[Debbie Long]

I've used a plastic straight edge that came in a wallpaper kit to paint baseboards on top of carpet ( I think it's a wallpaper smoother), and it worked well - put it on top of the carpet, pressed down, and painted the baseboard with no residual paint on the carpet. Another option - Use a heavy cardstock ( like what they use in postcards) - it's disposable, and you can cut it to the length that is easy for you to use....

[marksr]

As Debbie noted anything thin and stiff can be used for a shield. I have used a 12" drywall knife, straight piece of cardboard, scrap piece of sheet metal. You get the idea. Just press down and angle away to give you room to paint. Be sure to clean off the paint everytime you lift up the shield or you might get paint on the carpet when you re insert it.

[cool]

Thanks Debbie & Marksr,
that will work for me. sure i'll find one of these and will paint this weekend.

thanks for all your help.

the other question is
i've painted the ceiling and wall in my room. and i used masking tape to divide the color between ceiling and the wall.
after i peeled the masking tape i don't see a nice straight line between colors.

is there something i could do inorder make aline.

i saw one paint guide tool in homedepot like a scale but its metal that i think might help me to draw like a straight line with the color.

do you think this will work or any other suggestions would greatly appreciate.

thanks

[Debbie Long]

Do you have smooth ceilings, or "popcorn" finish? It's harder to get a straight line when you have a textured ceiling. Also, you may have not pressed down the edge of the tape closest to the unpainted surface - resulting in paint getting under the tape ..... Depending on how noticeable it is, (and how patient you are, with a steady hand) you can use a small craft paintbrush to cover up the overlap, and make the unevenness less noticeable.

Another thought - I have lived in three houses, two of them older, and one new construction, and none of the wall/ceiling junctions ever were exactly level and square. I was always using the above technique to make the paint junctions seem more straight.

What room did you paint? If you want to, you can always put up a border (they're easy to do, now that they come prepasted), or put up some moulding to create a straight edge.....

Blessings -
Debbie

[cool]

Thanks Debbie for your valuable info.
that will help me a lot.

My ceiling is textured and some paint went underneath the tape.
i even bought the paint guide thin straight metal to make the line.

I didn't know if i can buy border. does it call border? and does it come in color.
if so i'd like to check in homedepot as i've one more room to paint this weekend.
Moulding might be harder to install i believe as i'm totally new to this.

would be great to hear.

thanks very much.
thanks

[Debbie Long]

The border I'm talking about is wallpaper border. This comes in 100's of designs, colors, and widths. You put it up on the top of the wall at the junction between the ceiling and wall. Most come prepasted, so all you have to do is cut it, wet it, and put it up. If you need help with matching patterns, etc, just let me know....

I've used borders in bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Depending on your preference, you may or may not want to do this.

I realize that moulding is alot of work, but thought I'd offer that as an option..... The touch ups by hand have always worked for me, and besides,( unless it REALLY stands out, who is really looking at that area besides you?

Blessings,
Debbie

[marksr]

Practice with a quality brush and soon you will be able to the cut the walls in at the ceiling without using tape and get a better looking job. :)

[cool]

Hi Debbie & Marksr thanks for great suggestions.
i did try with hand with chip brush like 1inch bought from homedepot.
it worked out pretty well.

maybe i'll try to do trim for rest of the rooms now. it is little bit of work and time but did come out pretty well.
atleast it looks better.

thanks for helping me out in this project.

thanks much.
i've way much project to go in this house and i'm first time buyer and i'm newbie here.
thanks so much.