How to Paint a Room Like a Pro | Ask This Old House

Cost: $300

Skill Level: Beginner

Tools List:

Shopping List:

Steps:
1. Before starting work, remove or protect any furniture in the room with drop cloths. Protect where the floor meets the wall with painter’s tape.
2. When painting, always start at the top of the room and work your way down. Always pour paint into a separate container.
3. Paint the ceiling with a matte paint and the roller.
4. Paint the trim, including window trim, chair rails, and door casings with a semi-gloss paint and a 1 _” synthetic paint brush. Start from the top and work down.
5. For painting around windows, apply a liquid mask to the glass with a paint brush instead of using painter’s tape. The liquid acts like a spot primer if it gets on the sash, and it will protect the glass while painting.
6. Once the mask turns clear, add a second coat and wait for that to turn clear as well.
7. Paint the window frame, starting from the inside closest to the glass, and work your way out. To keep paint from getting into the cracks between the window and the jamb, slide a putty knife in the crack and drag it down as you paint. Add a paint additive if necessary to thin out the paint being applied around the windows.
8. Once the window frame is painted, paint the casing, then the window sill. For the side of the casing, keep the brush parallel to the wall and drag the brush all the way down the side of the casing.
9. Apply a second coat to the window trim, chair rails, and door casings.
10. Paint the walls using eggshell paint in most rooms. Low traffic rooms, like a bedroom, can use a matte finish.
11. Cut the edges around the walls with a 2 _” synthetic brush. Carefully drag the brush in a motion away from the ceiling and trim to prevent it from spilling over.
12. Paint the rest of the walls with a microfiber roller.
13. Before applying the final coat, using paintable caulking to fill in any gaps between trim, baseboards, etc.
14. Apply a second coat to the walls.
15. Clean up the drop cloths and painter’s tape. To remove the liquid mask, cut around the glass with a utility knife and peel it back slowly.

Resources:
All the painting supplies Mauro used on this project, including the brushes, rollers, drop clothes, and paint additive, can all be found at home centers and paint supply stores.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Paint a Room Like a Pro | Ask This Old House

[ankitcho]

Finally Mauro got a segment on TOH, guy is a pure artist if you havent seen his older works

[Detective]

"It's shinier than I thought, wanted more of a eggshell or matte."

"No."

[RealSlooo]

A lot said this and that. Little did you know that this guy won Best Of Boston Painter for over decades. Just FYI. I have coordinate work with him doing floors and have seen NOTHING but spectacular work more than 17 years.

[gsf]

He did a couple of things which I really like. Firstly he did the trims, it's easier to cut the trims into the wall, then cut the walls into the trim, and he advised to start the window joinery from the inside and work outwards. Not everybody does this. This guy really knows his stuff.

[bigsky]

Love how Mauro showed the difference in the various kinds of paints that are available on the market, and what specific job they are typical used for. Lots of great tips and info!

[larrytrujillo]

As a "teacher" Mauro's consistency produced a good result for Becka. What a good job!

[Mister]

Love Mauro! I'm so glad he's remained part of the TOH family! He's good in his work, and he's excellent in this video!

[MrAmalasan]

Mauro is great, really knows his stuff. Hope to see more of him on the show

[jesseweaver_fuyt]

This guy needs his own YouTube channel. Great educational teacher for DIY

[JK-hdzb]

Liquid masking works on carpet too. Applying with a foam brush is key. Pulls right up when done, just make sure it's completely dry before removing so it comes up easier

[dawnlingo]

In the process of closing on a home that needs some serious love in the paint department lol. Glad I saw this

[kem]

The liquid mask alone gets this video a 👍! That is an incredible product; first time seeing it. Don't ask me where I've been--obviously not painting, lol.

[Chelseacoastmaine]

Wow cool trick with the spackling knife and that clear window stuff. Great advice!!

[davidrobins]

"Liquid mask." This is a new product to me. I had no idea it existed. And it does a fantastic job. Thanks

[ishashawty]

how to paint like a pro: have the customer do it for you

[Adam-vpoe]

Haha I love his commentary too, “NIIIICE”
“Oh that’s lookin good already”
“Oh perfect perfect yes”
He def loves painting

[tonybaggett]

Great video! I’m glad he showed the masking paint.I can think of a lot of uses for it. These This Old House videos have the most trolls ever. All these “experts” in the comments need to make their own videos to show all these licensed contractors how to do it.

[grizl]

Ive also used this window film for big jobs can also be sprayed from airless sprayers i love it way faster than masking
Quick note do not use on textured glass

[Iliftmyeyestothehills]

Liguid Mask! That is awesome! I so will be using this the next time I paint. Thank you!

[GuitarMastaDave]

I love all the learning that happens from this show!