One of the most frequently asked questions we get is whether stained trim can be painted. The simple answer is yes, we can do that! Let me step you through the process. But before we begin, are you really sure you want to paint that beautiful product of nature? It took decades for that tree to produce those beautiful rich grains and some craftsman took the care to sand, stain, and apply that clear coat to make that luxurious deep wood come to life! Okay, now that that is over, here is how we prep and paint stained trim.

First, we perform a series of tests to see what is on the trim. In most cases, it is simply an oil based polyurethane which is pretty simple to re-coat. But we also run into lacquers and even catalyzed urethanes that can be difficult to get paint to stick to. By rubbing several solvents on the trim, we can determine what is on your trim and only then can we come up with the correct steps to ensure a great finish for your trim. In most cases, a simple sand down followed by a bonding primer will get your trim ready for just about any topcoat.

Second, we prep you trim according to our findings. A healthy sanding and a bonding primer is suitable for most existing finishes. You will want to make sure you or your contractor always perform adhesion tests on these types of surfaces. If the adhesion test is not successful, more sanding or a different bonding primer might be necessary. Once you do get good adhesion, you will want to use a better grade trim paint. We prefer Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, Benjamin Moore Advance, or PPG Ultralast for most trim applications.

Finally, after you’ve prepped and applied your bonding primer, make sure the paint is applied with either spray finish or with higher grade, new brushes to ensure minimal brush marks. You will want to make sure at least two coats are applied to ensure a good build of paint to make a durable finish! Our company paints trim at around $2.50 per linear foot for most new and repaint applications.