Exterior house painting can be a time consuming, yet rewarding, DIY project for homeowners looking to update the exterior of their home on a budget.

An exterior paint job doesn’t just keep your home looking fresh and pretty; exterior paint is also what seals the home from the elements and keeps the home protected from rot caused by water damage. Part of the process of exterior house painting is also painting exterior trim.

Exterior trim pieces are used to:

• Accent the windows
• Connect two types of materials (such as two types of siding)
• Finish the edges of the roof.

Since these components are usually painted last in exterior home painting, consider a different color when painting exterior trim. Neutral colors, such as white or grey, usually compliment the house color.

While painting exterior trim isn’t difficult, there are still a series of steps that homeowners can follow in order to make sure the exterior trim on their home is protected from the elements, and aesthetically pleasing. Follow these tips when painting exterior trim on your home.

Step #1: Mask off all Areas

Exterior trim painting is done last, and you don’t want excess paint from the trim to spill over onto your new exterior home painting job. Mask off the areas around the trim with a high quality painter’s masking tape. This is available anywhere where exterior house painting supplies are sold, in a variety of lengths and widths.

If this is your first exterior home painting job, get a wider width to protect a greater surface area of exterior surface. Apply strips of masking tape along all trim edges, leaving no gaps between the trim and the tape’s edges. If you’re painting exterior trim above a driveway or patio, you may also want to lay down a drop cloth (also found at the hardware store) to protect the concrete.

Step #2: Choose your Applicator

There are three different tools that can be used to paint exterior trim:

• A brush
• A power sprayer
• A roller.

A brush is by far the most popular and easiest tool for beginners to master, as it allows a very detailed application when painting exterior trim. Power sprayers and rollers can be utilized for larger sections of trim during an exterior home painting project. However, they can be difficult to control if you’re inexperienced. When choosing a brush, make sure to get a medium bristled horsehair brush, 2 to 2.5 inches in width, for best results.

Step #3: Begin Painting

Start at the top of the home and work your way down as you paint each piece of trim. Dip the brush a few inches into the paint and apply the paint to the trim in smooth fluid strokes. Only apply enough paint to thoroughly cover the section of trim you are working on. Too much paint will pool or drip off of the trim and look sloppy. Apply several thin coats until the trim is thoroughly sealed and every crevice is covered.