Not every room needs to be completely repainted when the wall paint is fading. Other times, painting the window trim with new paint is a great way to brighten the room. If yours is unpainted, painting some on the window trim will enhance the beauty of your house.

It’s a good idea that you decided to give your window’s interior or exterior a new freshness. Fortunately, painting isn’t particularly difficult. You can learn how to paint window trim with the help of a few tips and tools.

Please continue reading so I can show you more information.

Required Tools & Materials

It’s not particularly difficult to paint window trim your preferred color. Even the materials are inexpensive and accessible. With the following items below, you are ready to go through how to paint window trim with ease.

• A good painter’s tape of about one and a half inch. If you’re stuck for a solution, buy Scotch-Blue.
• Buy a trimming paintbrush of between 1 ½ to 2 inches. For simple entry into confined spaces, make sure the brush’s bristles are wedge-shaped.
• Purchase only paints that are appropriate for window trim or frames.
• You can invest in some quality sandpaper and wood filler, if you like.

How To Paint Window Trim? 

Identify Your Window Trim Material

The paint used on wood, vinyl, and other materials is different. Simply put, things won’t go well. The wrong paint can quickly begin to peel and chip.

For this reason, the proper paint for the appropriate material is required.

Get Painting Tools And Materials

• Interior/exterior primer
• Interior/exterior paint
• Paint scraper
• Painter’s tape
• Cleanser and rags
• 1 ½” – 2″ paint brush
• Wood filler (for any repairs)
• Sandpaper (at least 120-grit)

Apply Painter’s Tape

This can assist in keeping paint off of your walls. You can use it to create lines that are neat, sharp, and professional-looking. Apply it to the wall area around the trim and the interior of the area where the trim meets the glass.

Repair Any Damage

The best filler for any holes, dings, etc. is wood filler. As stated on the label, make sure the material can be painted, stained, and sanded.

In addition, this step entails removing any caulking that has hardened and any paint that is peeling or cracking.

Sand The Trim

By making the surface rougher, this step will improve the paint’s adhesion. Additionally, this will even out any uneven surfaces (especially if wood filler was used). Use a sponge or 120-grit sandpaper.

Start with 120-grit sandpaper and finish with 220-grit sandpaper for a thorough finish.

Cleaning up after sanding is important; otherwise, your paint won’t adhere well.

Put On The Primer

Yes, this is an additional step—unless you are painting unfinished wood, in which case it is required. Yes, priming does improve and extend the bonding time of paint. It could mean the difference between repainting later versus sooner.

Paint Window Trim

The inside edge is the preferred starting point for most painters. Unlike the outer, room-facing edge, it is more difficult to unintentionally brush your hand or shirt across. Don’t use too much brush. It could be messy if the paint drips down.

The order should be top to bottom, sides to top, bottom to finish. Be patient while the initial coat dries. You’re finished after applying a second coat of paint in the same way.

Paint The Exterior Of The Window Trim

Scrape Old Paints And Sand

Examine the area around the window for any loose, old paint or caulks, and use a scraper to remove them. If you do a window tint, you can cover the glass with tape so you don’t spoil it after painting. Fill any holes with spackle, remove any excess, and then repeat the procedure on the following window.

When the spackle is dry, apply it to the area and sand it until it’s smooth and fine. This job can be completed with sandpaper with a 220-grit rating. Use the item to sand all the way around the window, then use a clean piece of cloth to remove the dust.

Apply Caulk And Primer

Put a caulk gun on and get your caulk tube ready. In order to let the contents out of a tube with a sealed tip, break the seal. A screwdriver may be required to puncture the seal if it is too thick.

In the area where the old caulk was removed, apply caulk and gently dampen it with your finger. Before applying paint, smooth out the area with a damp cloth and make sure it is completely dry. Clean your fingers of any excess caulk.

Preparing baseboards for paintingis essential, and that is why the window trim will require adequate priming. A two-coat application of exterior primer will do the best job of protecting the wooden trim from water. Before painting, give it time to dry.

Begin Painting The Window Trim

Paint the window trim with a finish coat after caulking and priming are finished. Add a second layer, let it dry, and then repeat. To prevent paint from leaking out, make sure to tape over the window’s edges with a utility tape.

Remove the tape from the trim’s edges with caution after the paint has dried. If there is a stain of paint on the glass, scrape it or wash off with glass cleaner if you do a window tint.

Read more about Can You Paint Concrete?

Types Of Window Trim

Different materials used to make interior window trim include:

• Wood: the most typical kind of interior window trim. For wood window trim, a premium latex semi-gloss paint, such as Ben Interior Paint, is advised. Due to its long-lasting, furniture-like finish, ADVANCE Interior Paint is another excellent choice. Apply Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer to wood.
• Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF): MDF is gaining popularity as a result of its accessibility. Utilize Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer, and for the final coat, choose Ben or ADVANCE.
• Vinyl: a material that is frequently used for interior framing Ben or ADVANCE should be used as the top coat after Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer.
• PVC/plastic: Use a high-adhesion primer, such as STIX Waterborne Bonding Primer. Use Ben or ADVANCE as the top coat after priming with Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer.

Anatomy Of A Window

Use this glossary as a reference when following the instructions below for painting windows.

• Trim: the window’s window molding, which extends just past the frame and has a wall-side border. The terms molding and trim are frequently used interchangeably.
• Frame: the internal frame that secures the window. The frame serves as the glass’s outer border and is positioned inside the trim. The term “sash” also refers to the window’s frame.
• Grille: the thin strip of material (often made of wood, metal, or vinyl) used to divide the window’s glass into panes. It is additionally known as a grid.

Suggested reading: One of the best ways to quickly improve the appearance and ambiance of a space where you probably spend a lot of time is by updating your kitchen cabinets. So, how much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

Pro Tip Spotlight

If you accidentally get paint on window glass, you can easily remove it:

• One cup of white vinegar should be put on the stove to boil.
• Dip a cloth into the vinegar while protecting your hands with rubber gloves to avoid the heat.
• Use the hot, vinegar-soaked cloth to rub the desired paint spots in order to loosen and remove the paint.
• If the vinegar doesn’t work, dunk a second cloth in a bowl of warm water and dish soap. Use the cloth to liberally wet the paint splotches on the glass.
• Push a single razor blade at a 45-degree angle slowly in one direction to remove the paint. To prevent scratching the glass, keep the area you’re working on moist with your damp cloth.
• Spray glass cleaner on the area after the paint has been removed, then wipe it down with a damp cloth. Use a dry cloth to gently buff out any streaks to restore the appearance of your window.

Final Words

It’s obvious this article has answered the question, “How do I paint the wood trim white?” These instructions will show you how to paint window trim in any color. Your space will also look brand new with the proper supplies and equipment.

Just picture how lovely your room will look with painted window trims. So don’t forget these simple steps when you need them:

• Clean the window
• Cover some areas with tape
• Mind the walls around the window trim
• Fill available holes with filler
• Paint the winding trim and wait till it’s dry

Have you noticed a difference in your room’s aesthetics since painting the window trim? Or do you know how to paint wood trim white without sanding? Share your experience in the comment section.

Thank you for reading.