 |
|
05-05-2009, 08:56 PM
|
#1
|
|
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 16
|
Paint Crown Molding Before or After Installation?
Painting interior and installing new crown molding (walls are one color, ceiling and crown molding another). Is it better to paint the walls, cut molding to measure, paint new crown molding, install crown molding, touch up; or is it better to install the crown molding, paint ceiling and crown molding, tape, paint walls.
I imagine there will be caulking involved at some point that will need to be painted one of the two colors at the edge of the two-tone paint transition?
|
|
|
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. DIYChatroom.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any home improvement task!
|
05-06-2009, 11:00 AM
|
#2
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: McMurray, PA (Pittsburgh)
Posts: 302
|
Paint the walls and ceiling. Prime and paint the crown before you install it. I always paint before I cut and fit molding. Once you have it up it often only takes a little caulking to finish it up.
Rege
|
|
|
|
|
05-06-2009, 06:49 PM
|
#3
|
|
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 16
|
Every "how too" article I've read strongly suggests using a coping saw for one of the pieces when fitting the corners. This seems like a time consuming pain, although I've never done it, so maybe it's faster and easier than I imagine it to be.
How important is using a coping saw to cut the matching profile of one end of a piece butted to the uncut end of another vs. just cutting each piece at a 45 degree angle with a chop saw?
Do most professionals use the coping method as the articles I've read suggest, or is that not as prevalent as the "how to" articles seem to imply?
Does using the coping method impact the "paint before cutting" method as far as marring the paint around the coped cut?
Is the priming on pre-primed molding from HD enough, or should I prime it myself anyway?
|
|
|
|
|
05-06-2009, 08:46 PM
|
#4
|
|
Learning by Doing
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Easton, Maryland
Posts: 943
|
I am just this week learning how to do this sort of stuff. Here's my $.02:
- Prime, but don't paint before installation - you're going to have to paint after you caulk anyway.
- Coping is WAY easier than you think. Get a coping saw and go for it. I found it much easier if I clamped the molding within 6 inches of the end being coped. My first few weren't picture perfect (I chose less visibly conspicuous corners for my novice attempts). By my third or fourth it was fairly quick and easy.
Give it a go!
__________________
If I could only remember to THINK about what I was doing before I did it.
|
|
|
|
|
05-07-2009, 04:46 AM
|
#6
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 570
|
Crown, casings, base, and doors are in progress right now on our remodel. Here is what is working out really well for me. Pre-primed MDF moldings, pre-paint with SW waterborne enamel, install, caulk, minimal touch-up needed. The pictures are before touch-up.
Last edited by vsheetz; 05-07-2009 at 04:49 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
05-07-2009, 06:52 AM
|
#7
|
|
paper hanger, painter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hagerstown MD
Posts: 885
|
Looks good from here. Personally, I would prime first and do the finish coat(s) after nailing and caulking.
|
|
|
|
|
05-07-2009, 01:24 PM
|
#8
|
|
Newbie
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 2
|
Paint Before you Install
It's always a good idea to paint your ceiling, walls and crown molding before you install it. This way you don't have to try to paint around the various components. After you paint everything separately and install it you are done.
TJ
|
|
|
|
|
05-07-2009, 02:47 PM
|
#9
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 548
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmhut
Every "how too" article I've read strongly suggests using a coping saw for one of the pieces when fitting the corners. This seems like a time consuming pain, although I've never done it, so maybe it's faster and easier than I imagine it to be.
How important is using a coping saw to cut the matching profile of one end of a piece butted to the uncut end of another vs. just cutting each piece at a 45 degree angle with a chop saw?
Do most professionals use the coping method as the articles I've read suggest, or is that not as prevalent as the "how to" articles seem to imply?
Does using the coping method impact the "paint before cutting" method as far as marring the paint around the coped cut?
Is the priming on pre-primed molding from HD enough, or should I prime it myself anyway?
|
Coping helps to disguise the joints better as they expand and contract with the changing seasons. If you perform a simple chop, the gap between the pieces will be twice as large, and probably too big to reliably bridge with caulk.
SirWired
|
|
|
|
|
05-10-2009, 09:15 PM
|
#10
|
|
Household Handyman
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Albany, Ga.
Posts: 705
|
I'm sure I'm "old school" but I learned under my Grandad and now I'm 60. I have friends who do trim carpentry who are my elders. One thing I have learned is to prime and paint crown and base before even starting the project.I believe it makes things go easier in the long run,just a little touch-up. As far as coping, it's the only way to go for me. Thanks, David
|
|
|
|
|
05-10-2009, 09:48 PM
|
#11
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 648
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJLoop
It's always a good idea to paint your ceiling, walls and crown molding before you install it. This way you don't have to try to paint around the various components. After you paint everything separately and install it you are done.
TJ |
I have never painted a ceiling or wall before I put it in 
Generally if you have nice true walls and ceiling then you can paint the trim before putting it up. If you forsee a lot of caulking, prime it first, then paint it after it is up.
|
|
|
|
|
05-11-2009, 12:46 AM
|
#12
|
|
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 16
|
For some reason I just assumed you caulked the edges automatically. Is it the case that you only caulk if the walls are wavy enough to need cosmetic surgery at the with a calk gun?
|
|
|
|
|
05-11-2009, 12:25 PM
|
#13
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: McMurray, PA (Pittsburgh)
Posts: 302
|
I have never been lucky enough to have 4 walls in a room not need to be caulked with painted trim. Even casing which tends to pull tight to the wall can use a little caulk to fill in gaps most of the time. I have installed stained trim that looked pretty good but I ended up taping the trim and filling in with caulk and it looked even better...
Rege
|
|
|
|
|
05-11-2009, 01:25 PM
|
#14
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 648
|
The thing about caulking is that if you caulk after it has been painted, dirt will penetrate the caulk a lot more than the painted trim so it will discolor. Same goes for smoke if you are a smoker. If you have painted over the caulk it won't do that.
|
|
|
|
|
05-13-2009, 12:57 PM
|
#15
|
|
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Utah
Posts: 25
|
1. Pre-prime and paint your trim (not required, but saves time in the long run)
2. Absolutely cope your joints. Don't even consider not doing it.
3. Spackle and sand nail holes. Prime the spackle if your paint calls for it. Caulk all seams.
4. Paint ceiling
5. Paint an entire coat on your crown (don't skimp by just trying to touch up caulk and spackle)
6. Paint your walls
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
