Title: How to Cut In Paint Like a Pro (DIYer's Guide) - Bob Vila
Headings: How To: Cut In Paint
How To: Cut In Paint
While a fresh coat of color can quickly update any room, the crisp lines where your walls meet trim or ceiling are really what set apart a stand-out paint job. Read on for how to achieve such a professional touch on your next project.
Tools & Materials
Step 1
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Step 3
Step 4
TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Content: Holding the brush horizontal with respect to the floor and ceiling, paint a roughly 12-inch stripe on the wall, using a downward stroke if you’re painting at a corner, or a sideways stroke if you’re working along the ceiling, baseboard, or other trim. Now that you’ve used up some of the paint on your brush, turn your brush 90 degrees so that it angles into the wall, and go back to the beginning of your stroke. This time, using long, even strokes, cut in a thinner line of paint that gets right up to the trim or wall corner. Advertisement
Step 4
Once you’re satisfied that you have a cleanly painted edge or corner, again turn your paintbrush horizontal to the floor and ceiling, and gently sweep back over the area to erase brush marks and feather the outer boundaries of the painted area. Doing so will ensure a smooth, seamless finish after you’ve rolled the walls. Continue to work your way around the room, gently overlapping sections to keep a wet edge. If you have an accidental drip or get paint on the trim or baseboard, wrap a damp cloth around a spackling knife or the long edge of a 5-in-1 painter’s tool, then run it along your paint line to remove any excess. Cutting in does take practice, but taking the time to cut in neatly will make a huge difference in the appearance of your newly painted room. TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Use a light touch. Applying too much pressure on your strokes will cause the paint to ooze out of your brush and drip.