Even in the depths of winter, I crave fresh air! It’s my habit to open the windows for a few minutes every day, which helps clear out the stuffiness that accumulates from heat, dust and pets. As I do that, my attention is drawn to the room’s woodwork . . . and it occurs to me that a fresh coat of paint on the trim will do wonders to add new spark to a space.
In my home, where allergies are a concern, the paint of choice is Benjamin Moore’s Natura paint. This 100% acrylic paint has zero VOC and zero emissions, is virtually odorless and certified asthma and allergy friendly. In addition, it’s splatterless. It is self-priming on most surfaces, and can be recoated in an hour. The final result is durable and washable. What more could you ask for?
If you make this a do-it-yourself project, all you need is the paint, a brush, painter’s tape and a drop cloth. For good paint adhesion, make sure the surface to be painted is clean. Vacuum the trim and the adjacent wall area to remove dust and other lose particles. Then use a damp rag to clean the trim. If the trim surface is greasy, wash it with a detergent solution. TSP-PF (phosphate free), which is available at home centers and paint stores, is the detergent favored by many painters. Let the surface completely dry before applying painter’s tape.
After you apply the painter’s tape, be sure to press down the edges to seal it so the paint won’t seep through. To do this, use your fingernail or the tip of a spoon. If you want to get a little fancier, consider a small investment in a flexible putty knife. It works great because it conforms to uneven surfaces. For best results, slightly tilt the putty knife blade so you are applying pressure along the edge of the tape.
Remove the tape while the paint is still wet. Slowly and carefully pull it away from the paint line at a 45-degree angle. If a bit of paint seeps through, wipe it off immediately, using a damp cloth. If the tape is left on until the paint dries, you run the risk of peeling some of the new paint off along with the tape. With a quick-drying paint like Natura, work in small sections so that the tape comes off before the paint is thoroughly dry.
