Painting Over Glossy Molding

Preparation

• Remove the gloss before attempting to repaint. Glossy molding is created by glossy paint or results from injection mold casting of plastic moldings. Either way, gloss prevents paint from adhering to the molding’s surface. Successful repainting requires removing the shine. Use fine-grade sandpaper on lightly painted or plastic molding. It won’t create noticeable scratches and gouges. Another option is liquid sandpaper that is applied to a cloth and rubbed over the molding. Older painted molding may have accumulated many coats over the years, making the paint gum up when sanded. Such heavily painted molding may require paint stripper and a special paint scraper shaped to follow contours in the molding. Consult the manufacturer of plastic moldings to determine whether any special treatments are necessary to properly prepare the surface for successfully receiving paint. Fill any holes or cracks with putty, and caulk any separation between the molding and wall.

Tools

• Choose from narrow-bristled brushes, trim paint pads and sponges to apply the paint. Choose an angled brush to apply paint to the trim where it meets the wall. Pour some paint into a container smaller than the original paint can when you are ready to paint. In addition to being smaller and easier to handle, this practice keeps any dirt or debris that ends up on the brush from contaminating the paint left in the can. Keep a wet rag handy to wipe drips and accidental swipes from walls. A respirator may be necessary when working with oil-based primer and paint, especially if the painter has any respiratory or allergy problems. Run a small electric table fan while painting to keep air circulating and help push the paint smell from the room.

Paint

• Choose the color and sheen of the top coat of paint. Generally, lighter colored molding with a heavy gloss make molding pop. In the case of crown molding, high-gloss paint makes the ceiling look higher, creating the illusion of greater space. Lighter colors on moldings around a room appear to deepen the wall color, showing it off to its greatest effect. In a monochromatic color scheme, use a flat wall paint and rely on high-gloss oil paint or enamel to provide contrast for the molding.

Application

• Prime the molding before applying a top coat. Treat sanded or stripped wood molding like new wood. Use only oil-based primers and top coats on wood or latex brands that specifically say that the water content in the water base will not cause wood fiber to swell. Match the primer to the top coat. If using a latex primer, also use a latex top coat. Avoid mixing oil- and water-based primers and top coats, as oil-based primers sometimes cause water-based top coats to bubble. Paint over sanded plastic with paint specially formulated for bonding to plastic surfaces. Use tinted primer if the intended top coat has strong color. Work quickly to prevent dry edges. Painting over dry edges increases the chance of paint demarcation lines that remain visible after the job is finished.