How to Avoid "Cutting In" When Painting a Room

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avoid "cutting in" when painting a room

How to Avoid "Cutting In" When Painting a Room

When painting the walls in a room a different color than the ceiling or the trim, use this method to make clean straight lines.

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Step 1 of 6
After ceiling or trim are painted and dry apply blue painters tape on the ceiling or trim in line with the wall. It is important that the paint is dry so the final step is successful.

After ceiling or trim are painted and dry apply blue painters tape on the ceiling or trim in line with the wall. It is important that the paint is dry so the final step is successful.

Step 2 of 6

Paint the ceiling or trim color (the color under the tape) on top of the tape and slightly onto the wall.

Step 3 of 6

Let the paint dry. The tape doesn't create a perfect seal, especially on textured walls. This paint will seep into the openings under the tape which is okay as it's the same color under the tape.

Step 4 of 6

Now, paint the wall color up into the corner and over the tape.

Step 5 of 6

Before the wall color dries, start pulling off the tape. Pull away from both the ceiling and the wall. The same method also applies to trim.

Step 6 of 6
Look at the clean and straight line. This clean of a line is virtually impossible using any other method. Good luck!

Look at the clean and straight line. This clean of a line is virtually impossible using any other method. Good luck!

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4 Comments
Supplies

Painters Tape

2 Paintbrushes

2 Paint (Different Colors)

Michele Garfin

I will be trying this out!

Michele Garfin 2 months ago

Melonie Busch

Love this tip!! Shared it on FB!! Will definitely be using this technique from now on!! Thanks!!

Melonie Busch 9 months ago

argh@ciudad.com.ar argh@ciudad.com.ar

Impressive. Now I know what I was doing wrong. Thank you!

argh@ciudad.com.ar argh@ciudad.com.ar 10 months ago

Utsav Mamtora

This is excellent! Will be using this technique later today.

Utsav Mamtora 10 months ago

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Erin D

What a great idea...Thanks

Erin D 10 months ago

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Jan Welbourn

U I meant

Jan Welbourn 9 months ago

Jan Welbourn

This is so clever. My husband loved this method. Thank i

Jan Welbourn 9 months ago