When painting a room, it’s essential to pay attention to the small details. Cutting in refers to the process of outlining the walls and ceilings before painting the bulk of the surfaces. Adding this border beforehand can help to create sharper corners and a more professional finish, so it’s well worth taking the time to cut in – as our professional decorators at Scott Anson Painters and Decorators Ltd. would suggest.
Before picking up a paintbrush to begin cutting in, the walls should be prepared as they would for any decorating project. Covering furniture and flooring with dust sheets will provide much-needed protection. The walls can be scrubbed with soap and water, although DIYers should know that it’s not essential to clean them in their entirety; rather, it’s more important to focus on removing any greasy marks and pay attention to high-traffic areas such as light switches and plug sockets.
Any holes can be filled in before sanding down to create a smooth surface. Finally, decorators can put masking tape over edges and skirting boards to avoid paint dripping onto them.
Essential Equipment
Cutting in can be achieved in a number of ways. Applying masking tape over light switches and fittings allows decorators to paint around them efficiently. After cutting in, the masking tape should be removed before the paint has dried. Alternatively, a specific cutting-in paintbrush can provide a precise finish; painting a 5-10 cm area around the skirting or fitting will give enough space to blend the small section with the overall paint job.
Once the process has been completed, homeowners can start to paint the rest of the walls. Using a paint roller and moving in a W motion towards the cut-in sections will enable the paint to be blended properly without hitting the edges.
As the blending process will not work effectively unless the coats of paint are wet, it’s important to begin painting the rest of the room immediately after cutting in has been completed.
Useful Tips to Create a Great Finish
In the interest of creating a superior finish, there are certain techniques DIYers can employ. It’s worth investing in high-quality masking tape, which helps to create a clean edge. While applying the tape, pressing against any small gaps that appear and wiping a damp cloth over the tape will help to seal it against the surface.
While painting, using light pressure is advisable and will prevent the brush from spreading. Smooth motions are ideal and will help to create straight lines.
