What is trim paint?

Jai Reed
May 8, 2016
3 min read

It used to be to paint trim and baseboards you just picked up any can of semi or high gloss paint and brushed it on. Then just lived with the grooves in the paint from the brush marks that were left. Not anymore. Though most will still go to the local hardware store and pick up a can of gloss paint and spend hours brushing it on then after all that hard work it doesn't quite look so great.

That doesn't have to happen anymore! There really is such a thing as trim paint. So, what is it? Why is it different from high gloss paints? The higher gloss paints were used because they were durable and easy to clean. It's paint made for walls, but used for trim because that was what was available.

Trim paints are made differently as they are made to dry slow for more time to work with. That also means the cure time is longer between coats, to harden well. Trim paints have compounds in them for higher adhesion, so when they dry they don't chip as easy as gloss paint would. It can be sanded in between coatings if needed to smooth out any areas. And because of the slow dry time it actually levels itself out. They also come in different sheen's, so you can still have that semi gloss look or a softer pearl sheen. All of this makes for a high end smooth finish!

Application is simple. Make sure the surface is clean of dust and dirt. Pick out any debris as you go. If some gets in and drys just lightly sand it out with a fine sanding sponge. For small crevices and inside corners use only fine smaller (one inch wide) bristle brushes to reduce brush marks. For the rest use small micro - fiber roller sleeves on a mini roller frame. They are made from cloth fibers, which have very little shedding or paint splatter. The fibers can get in many of the small areas so not as much need for a brush. The micro fiber roller sleeve makes for a very smooth and spray like finish. With out the mess of spraying.

Oh and don't forget about clean up! It's easy, as they are also water based. No more messy, smelly oil base paint needed. In between coats just wrap your roller end with the paint in some saran wrap to keep it from drying out. You can do this for your brushes also. Make sure there is some paint on the brush and roller sleeve to keep them longer. Cover your paint tray with a grocery bag or saran wrap. They can stay good for a day or two and even better if you can put them in the fridge the cold will slow the drying time. Then when your done with applying coats they can be cleaned with water and a little dish soap.

Trim paints are more expensive even as much as $75.00 a gallon, such as Benjamin Moore's Advance Trim Paint, but it's so worth it in the end! One gallon does go along way though.

Trim paint can be used to paint door/window trim, baseboards, cabinets, molding and shelving.

Check out some samples or our work with trim paint rolled on with a small micro fiber roller.