How To Cut In Painting

By Author: Paintbuddy&CO
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Painting is a time-consuming, laborious task. It's not for everyone. But if you're up to the challenge, here are some tips on how to cut in painting like a pro.

What is cutting in painting

Cutting in painting is the job of defining the edges of the wall and making the transition from one color to another.

Cutting in may seem like a small detail, but it can be very important and difficult for beginners.

However, once you master cutting in technique, it won't be that tough at all!

How to cut in paint – tools, and materials

1 You need a good paintbrush

2 The above-mentioned gloves, of course

3 Painters tape (it's recommended to get the blue painter's tape because it leaves less residue on the wall)

4 A small bucket filled with water and soap solution. It will come in handy when you have to take a break from painting or if your brush gets dirty. Or simply whenever you feel like washing something!

5 Old newspapers to set under the ladder.

6 A drop cloth would be helpful ...
... but not necessary for smaller rooms. For a large living room, a drop cloth is a must!

7 A brush cleaner to clean the brush between colors.

8 Two paint trays that fit perfectly into each other or one for thin paint and another for thick. This way you'll have two separate colors ready to be poured into the tray(s) as soon as they're needed.

9 A small container with some water and dish soap for cleaning your brushes if need be.

10. Some painters use masking tape or scotch tape whatever they like best – to cover outlets and switches (only during the painting of course).

You can also use painter's tape (like Frog Tape) because it doesn't leave any residue on the wall when peeled off

Tips for cutting in painting

:

1 Always cut in from the ceiling down.

2 Cut a horizontal line along windows and doors to avoid a paint drip or a run.

3 Use a ruler or a piece of material as a guide to keeping your lines straight – take the room's measurements with you if going to pick up some paint so you can get the exact color needed.

4. Be sure to use an angled brush, watercolor flat brush for this job. You can also use an old synthetic, flat or round brush that was previously used just for cutting in but remember to clean them after use cause they're good only for one time being used actually, then throw them away… you don't want bacteria grout on your wall, do you?

Painting a room with two colors, what you need to know about the process.

There are two ways to "cut in", the first is using your angled brush loaded with paint. The second is by dipping straight edges in paint and then using them as a guide for your flat or cutting in the brush.

It's up to you which way you choose but keeps this in mind: when cutting in with a 2" wide brush or angled brush, each cut-in mark should be no closer than 8" apart so you have time to wipe off the excess before it dries.

If there are moisture problems near windows or doors, use an eraser on any marks that get too close.

We would also suggest marking all of the corners around windows and door frames with adhesive tape so if any stray marks happen they will be caught before they dry.

If you are cutting in the ceiling, use the same 8" spacing rule but also cut in one foot to each side of all wall intersections so there's no chance of getting paint on them.

The first way is by using a 2" or 3" angled brush using broad strokes that do not go over an individual stud or joist.

The angle should be about 45 degrees for this method. Start at the ceiling and work your way down with long straight cuts across each stud so none of them are missed.

Also, keep in mind that waterfowling around windows may cause runs to bleed under the tape if not wiped up quickly enough so you may have to switch to a 1-1/2 or 2 " angled brush for this method.

The second method is by using a long 1" or 2" angle cut brush for cutting in corners or tight spots where you can't use the above-mentioned 8" spacing rule.

When it comes to windows if you still think tape will cause bleeds because of their odd shape, use a small 4" paint pad with one edge folded over so it's double-thick and trim off any loose threads that may come undone under the tape.

Start at the ceiling where there are no windows limiting your space and work your way down. The idea here is to wear out as little of the roller cover as possible so keep transferring roller covers from one wheel to another wheel or back into the water pan to keep it moist.

The only downside to having no windows is you don't get to use the nifty corner roller technique shown in the video below. It's easy peasy with a window but it takes some doing if all you have is wall space.

Don't work yourself into exhaustion here, give plenty of time for drying between coats and test out using your mini-roller even at this stage so you'll be ready when it comes time to paint the ceiling which is next up on our list.

Instead of cutting in on the walls first, We recommend putting masking tape down first then mask off just underneath where that masking tape meets either another wall corner or molding edge (wherever it disturbs your wall when it's painted, which is probably the same place you're going to cut in from the edges of one wall onto the next).

Cutting an 8'x10′ bedroom in half. Same concept with a wider area here- masking tape and all. The roller gets too thick past 2-foot widths so don't even start this part using a mini-roller any bigger than 2 feet wide unless you have somebody helping hold that thing for you because by yourself trying to paint that much dragging a mini-roller around? Forget about it!

Conclusion

If you want to paint your home or business and need a professional, we’ve got the experience and expertise that will give you peace of mind. We can also help with all aspects of painting including preparation work such as masking off windows and doors. Contact us today for more information on how we can be your painters in the northern beaches area.

Visit us at https://paintbuddyco.com.au/painters-northern-beaches/

paintbuddy&Co is a professional painter in northern beaches and other Sydney areas. We provide exceptional services to our local customers