Order of painting...

We need to get each area that is painted/primed done in 1 day. Is this possible?

We were going to start with the hallway. Since we have the ugly dark brown molding, could my DH put a coat of the primer on the molding, then go on to paint the walls, and then go back to paint another coat of primer on the molding? The walls are white now and only painted 1.5 years ago so I don't think they will need 2 separate coats. Between drying times, is this possible? How long do you think the paint will take to dry before being able to put painters tape on the walls around the moldings? Do you think this could all get done in 1 day? There isn't that much wall space, and 5 doorways. Any thoughts? Thanks again!

Re: Order of painting...

I would prime everything first. You lose less time than switching from task to task.

I do trim first as I have a very steady hand (I've painted over 50 rooms). A hallway takes longer due to the trim and all of the cutting around the doors, nevermind the doors... if you have paneled doors then they need to be painted with a brush as well. The upstairs hall in my colonial has 6 6-panel doors and a big window. It felt like I was getting nothing done but I had to put two coats oin the brand new doors and trimwork.

Then I put on the color. Cut first and then roll. Try to cut thick so you don't have to go back and touch up..

If he gets started really early in the day and depending upon how much trim you have it is do-able but it will be a long day.

ETA: You do not need two coats of primer... one coat is sufficient but you may need to do three coats of color if you are turning brown moulding to white.

May I suggest using semi-gloss on the trim... that's where all of the fingerprints from the kiddies seem to wind up and it's easier to clean. Eggshell (it's a finish not a color like some people think) on the walls. Eggshell is more scrubbale than flat.

What color are you painting the walls? If the color is darker get a tinted primer and it will cut down on how many coats you need to paint.

In this weather each coat should dry in about an hour.

Message edited 3/9/2006 4:20:08 PM.

Re: Order of painting...

Oooh I don't know if this can be done in one day. I would not put tape on paint that has not had 24 hrs to dry.