How to Paint like a Pro | Ask This Old House

In this video, Ask This Old House expert painter Mauro Henrique shows host Kevin O’Connor the tips and tricks to painting like a pro.

Kevin O'Connor meets expert painter Mauro Henrique to discuss painting techniques. Mauro begins by showing Kevin how a professional painter holds a paintbrush. Then, Mauro loads the brush with paint and shows Kevin how to properly paint a piece of baseboard. After purposely dabbing the wall with paint, Mauro shows Kevin how to wipe it up before discussing the merits of painter’s tape.

It Starts With the Grip
To paint like a pro, you have to hold the brush like a pro. Lay the handle of the brush flat over the back of your thumb while holding the ferrule (the metal part that holds the bristles together) between your index and middle finger. The point of a slanted brush should be on the finger side, not the thumb side.

The Two-Finger Rule
Next, you need to know how much paint to load the brush with. Mauro suggests dipping the brush into the paint can just far enough so there is two fingers’ width of paint on the end of the brush. Too much paint and the ferrule will become loaded, affecting the way the brush paints. Too little, and the paint job will take forever.

Once loaded, wipe a bit of the excess paint off in the bucket.

Start Low and Work Your Way to the Edge
When painting baseboards, you don’t have to take the brush directly to the seam between the wall and molding. Instead, start lower on the baseboard until the paint is flowing. Then, slowly work toward the seam, dragging paint up to the joint. This prevents puddling at the seam, resulting in much sharper lines. If the paint pooled where you started, smooth it out with the brush.

Clean Up Mistakes While They’re Wet
If an errant brushstroke should touch down on the wall, don’t worry—wet paint is pretty easy to clean. If you keep a damp cloth nearby, you can stretch the fabric over a finger and wipe the wet paint off the wall. Just be sure to wad the excess cloth up in your palm to prevent it from touching the wet baseboard.

There are times when even the pros use painter’s tape. When they’re painting against finished surfaces like flooring and woodwork, they’ll often stretch tape across the surface to protect it. However, when it comes to painting walls and trim, they typically forego the tape in lieu of their skills and steady hands.

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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Paint like a Pro | Ask This Old House

[kylefowler]

Best tip I ever got was if you are painting walls and trim, go ahead and paint the trim first and don't worry about getting trim paint on the walls. It's easier and faster to cut in a wall than trim

[alexanderdrakh]

I've been using the two finger technique since high school

[ellmatic]

My wife and I just bought our first home (yes, in this market...), and I am *binging* on these videos. Thank you *SO* much, TOH. You are a goldmine.

[JonnyDIY]

I like to use a small Wooster 2" stubby angle sash brush when doing the baseboard top edge

[rafaelsays]

I said it a hundred times before, but I’ll say it again: Mauro is the boss when it comes to paint

[alonzomartii]

Also Mauro forgot to mention that a painter needs to have a small spatula to use it with wet rag.

[Manofsteel]

Is it just me or is that dab he tried to wipe off still there?

[kathymieczkowski]

Learned a lot about the paint brush! This is why I constantly have more paint on my paint brushes. Ty for this video!

[salvadorsepulveda]

The Godfather of house painting is Mauro hands or two fingers down. Blessings

[JonnyDIY]

I go even less than 2 fingers when doing baseboards. I just want paint on tip of brush 👍

[davidmckinney]

Thanks for your advice I love this old house I've been watching them for years much love for you all my friends 🙏

[RichardGreco]

Mauro is an expert. I think doing a professional paint job is probably the hardest thing. Right behind keeping my wife happy.

[jimbohnenkamp]

As always good questions and good tips. I'm glad to see there are others who get shaky when painting a small area.

[Sadsoft]

Can he teach us what type of brush is best for each job

[Ahuatzi]

All bout that nylon blend from corona or Wooster for me when I use brush on trim

[AnthonyVenmans]

What I have noticed is that all Americans and Canadians using a flat brush instead of a rounded brush.
In my country (the Netherlands) most things are always painted with a rounded brush.
Can anybody explain this please?

[danb.]

The real trick to painting like a pro: do it a lot, a whole lot.

[Avital]

Painting is not difficult. Prep can be very difficult. There are way too many videos showing painters cutting in, and not nearly enough detailed prep videos.

[patrickavondale]

Mauro is such a legend, try to find a drop of paint on him or his clothing - won’t happen. I ruin everything I wear after the first coat.

[hoodhomesgardens]

I cut in with a 4” straight brush. Never tape.