#BASE BOARDS INSTALL#
#BASE BOARDS DRIVERS#
#BASE BOARDS PROFESSIONAL#

If the baseboards came primed (all MDF baseboards come primed), you might like the look, but odds are you don’t. If you primed the baseboards yourself, you may like the look and choose to leave it as is. You don’t need to paint your baseboards at all. The short answer is no you do not need to paint primed baseboards. However, at the end of the day, the decision to prime your baseboards before painting is up to you, and the results are subjective based on your preference. Priming is part of the process professionals use. Using a primer for the first coat or two means you will use less paint. Will I save money, not priming my baseboards?Īssuming you use all your paint, priming can end up cheaper. In our experience, including priming in your paint process takes the same amount of time, sometimes less, as it would to only paint your baseboards. Will I save time, not priming my baseboards? Helps even out the color and texture of the paint on the baseboard.The layer of paint will be more durable, with the benefits of a primer to stabilize it on the baseboard.The paint will look closer to your intended look.More likely to get the best looking results.

When the paint is applied, it does not require nearly as much.Įven though you can get away without priming in the majority of situations, it is generally recommended to consider it. Priming first allows the less-expensive primer to penetrate the pores of the wood, soaking it up. If you are painting wood baseboard, you may end up needing to apply extra coats of paint to get the desired look. What happens if I don’t prime my baseboards?

#BASE BOARDS DRIVERS#

However, the primary drivers for priming are cost and time. The issue of priming baseboards is often up for debate because they are located near the floor, not at eye level and as easy to see, and at risk for damage, meaning they will need to be repainted anyway. Compared to other paint jobs (e.g., walls and ceilings), baseboards are relatively easy to paint. Painted baseboards lead to a nice, clean look, improving the style and feel of any space. DO I NEED TO PRIME BASEBOARDS BEFORE PAINTING?

#BASE BOARDS INSTALL#

Remember, you will only paint and install your baseboards once, but they will stay on your wall for a very long time. You may be able to skip priming before painting when it comes to baseboards, but you may appreciate the look when adding the extra step. We discussed paint brush strokes and oil-based paint before on this blog. If you have children or are sensitive to this, painting baseboards outside might be the best option. What type of paint: Oil-based paints let off VOCs known to be harmful to the body, some states restrict their use.

Try painting a section of the wall or using a fully painted piece of scrap trim. However, it is a good idea to stop and check your work and look at a sample of your finished product from time to time. Your color combination: Yes, it is more efficient to compartmentalize painting and paint trim and the walls separately.

#BASE BOARDS PROFESSIONAL#

Caulking, taping, and getting the lines right may require the work of a professional – or your best assistant.

Who you have help from may determine if you paint trim or walls first. Who is doing the painting? There is a level of skill involved for painting, despite it being one of the easiest (and the most fun?) DIY projects. If you are using a colored (e.g., white) caulking after installation, you may need to circle back and touch up paint – in some cases this is unavoidable. This also minimizes the amount of prep and taping you need to do.

Base boards