Decorating (painting) question - wall edging
Discussion
Just a quick one (I hope) - I need to paint the walls/ceiling in the bedroom and I need to do the edges/corners first. Personally, I hate doing it, but I do it because otherwise the finish is pretty shocking.
Is there a quick/easy way to do this - or am I doomed to getting a brush and taking my time to do it very carefully along the edge/border/skirting/etc?
Is there a quick/easy way to do this - or am I doomed to getting a brush and taking my time to do it very carefully along the edge/border/skirting/etc?
Masking tape works a treat - make you sure remove it before the paint dries though or you'll get paint chips coming off with the tape where you have over-painted.
Alternatively B&Q, Homebase etc normally sell plastic edging tools (They must have a real name) which are essentially big plastic rulers with a handle on to stop overpainting. These work ok too and only cost a couple of quid.
Alternatively B&Q, Homebase etc normally sell plastic edging tools (They must have a real name) which are essentially big plastic rulers with a handle on to stop overpainting. These work ok too and only cost a couple of quid.
Edited by Geoff82 on Thursday 12th February 11:27
tobster said:
You can use a thin piece of plastic as an edger
Only works so far until the paints seeps under it getting paint everywherecazzer said:
Low tack masking tape
Which will strip off the paint/wallpaper border when I pull it offHas anyone tried those solid foam rollers - are they any good? A normal roller just sprays paint on the edge
james_tigerwoods said:
tobster said:
You can use a thin piece of plastic as an edger
Only works so far until the paints seeps under it getting paint everywhereused the edgers to paint and never had a problem

I did the ceiling last night and when it dried it looked, well, a bit unfinished - I was not amused. Even less amused when I noticed how bad the edging looked.
I was, however, quite surprised how grey/brown/crappy the old cieling really was in comparison to nice, crisp white.
The walls will be done tonight - I'm not even going to pretend I can get away with one-coating it.
I was, however, quite surprised how grey/brown/crappy the old cieling really was in comparison to nice, crisp white.
The walls will be done tonight - I'm not even going to pretend I can get away with one-coating it.
Use a decent size brush, 2" say.
Plenty of paint on it, and lean it over onto one side so you're painting with a triangular edge.
Then just paint into the edge. Don't go slowly or you'll wobble all over the place. A decent enough speed of stroke to enable you to maintain one smooth movement with your hand. And enough paint loaded onto the brush to be able to run a couple of feet before you have to go back to the tin.
You won't get a razor-straight line, but it'll be smooth and straight enough to not notice to the eye.
And you won't have to fanny about with tape or bits of plastic.
Don't be a ponce, just paint it.
Plenty of paint on it, and lean it over onto one side so you're painting with a triangular edge.
Then just paint into the edge. Don't go slowly or you'll wobble all over the place. A decent enough speed of stroke to enable you to maintain one smooth movement with your hand. And enough paint loaded onto the brush to be able to run a couple of feet before you have to go back to the tin.
You won't get a razor-straight line, but it'll be smooth and straight enough to not notice to the eye.
And you won't have to fanny about with tape or bits of plastic.
Don't be a ponce, just paint it.
thebluebus said:
Use a decent size brush, 2" say.
Plenty of paint on it, and lean it over onto one side so you're painting with a triangular edge.
Then just paint into the edge. Don't go slowly or you'll wobble all over the place. A decent enough speed of stroke to enable you to maintain one smooth movement with your hand. And enough paint loaded onto the brush to be able to run a couple of feet before you have to go back to the tin.
You won't get a razor-straight line, but it'll be smooth and straight enough to not notice to the eye.
And you won't have to fanny about with tape or bits of plastic.
Don't be a ponce, just paint it.
What he said..Plenty of paint on it, and lean it over onto one side so you're painting with a triangular edge.
Then just paint into the edge. Don't go slowly or you'll wobble all over the place. A decent enough speed of stroke to enable you to maintain one smooth movement with your hand. And enough paint loaded onto the brush to be able to run a couple of feet before you have to go back to the tin.
You won't get a razor-straight line, but it'll be smooth and straight enough to not notice to the eye.
And you won't have to fanny about with tape or bits of plastic.
Don't be a ponce, just paint it.
Masking tape and other masking type tools cause as many problems as they solve, steady hand and practise, then take pride in job well done.
Might take a little longer but not a race is it.
Go to a professional decorator supplier and buy an cutting in brush - they look like the ones artists use for water colour paint but a lot bigger.
Thin the paint down so it's just liquid enough to run off the brush in a steady thin stream when you lift it out of the paint.
Hold the brush at an angle of around 45 deg and draw it along the edge you are painting.
With a little practice you'll find it's easy and really quick. The secret is getting the paint thinned to exactly the right consistency for it to flow smoothly off the brush.
Thin the paint down so it's just liquid enough to run off the brush in a steady thin stream when you lift it out of the paint.
Hold the brush at an angle of around 45 deg and draw it along the edge you are painting.
With a little practice you'll find it's easy and really quick. The secret is getting the paint thinned to exactly the right consistency for it to flow smoothly off the brush.
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