how do you paint the base boards in rooms with carpet?

[footprintsinconc]

here is my question:

how do you paint the base boards in rooms with carpet? the carpet dips down under the base board when when it real close to the face of the base board. some of threads are sticking up and touching the face of the base board. so how do you repaint them without getting any paint on the carpet?

thanks,

[crokett]

I have a very wide knife (like 24") that I think is for smoothing wallpaper. I use it to press the carpet down, then paint a section. Then work your way around the room and rinse and repeat. I have also used a drywall knife but those are only about 14" wide. A couple things: don't load up the brush with paint. It is easier to keep off the carpet that way. Also, wipe the knife off periodically or the paint will build up and work its way around the edge and get on the carpet.

[eezlock]

painting base boards

Very carefully! I would use a wide blade taping knife like sheetrock finishers use or really wide putty knife. If you really want to be cheap and not buy anything....use a slat from some discarded/old venetian blinds....they work well too. The point is, to use something between the carpet and the
baseboard to prevent any paint smears and later on cleaning them up!
eezlock

[Jan]

You can use a carpet shield. Most paint departments have them in stock. Keep your brush rather dry. You only need to get it colored down behind the carpet. And wipe off your shield every time you use it.

[jhart]

Wide knifes work ok, but you need to keep them clean. Painter's tape will also work, just make sure you get it close and press down the carpet as you put it down. Sometimes you can even get it under the moulding. Keep the brush fairly dry. I usually pull the tape right after I'm done and look for any spots on the carpet. With latex paint, a wet rag will take out most spots if there are any. Put a taping knife between the moulding and the spot on the carpet when using a wet rag.

[pelligrini]

My wife and daughter will just paint the base and carpet, or just paint the top part of the base.

I prefer a drywall knive or similar. I've used a piece of sheet aluminum I had lying around too. The handles on a knife make it easier though.

[RAFlorida]

As Joe said, painter's tape.

I've use it for that and it does wonders. Our baseboards are slightly off the carpet and I can slide a wide blade between the board and carpet, thus allowing some of the tape to be placed thereunder. Painter's tape ain't cheap, untill you've got paint on the carpet, then you'll see money flying for new carpet. I do believe that'll be you're best bet.

[klefkow]

Carpet

I have used a slat from an old vertical blind. It provides about 7 feet of coverage and I move it along the wall.

[chabin76]

When I repainted my basement, I took all of the baseboards off the walls and painted them in the garage on my sawhorses. They come off the wall easily if you pry close to the nails and then I don't risk any paint of the carpets.

[eccentrictinkerer]

When I started my handyman business 7 years ago I worked for several friends in the building trades for a week each at no pay. I wanted to learn the 'tricks of the trade' to speed up production.

My friend, Brian, a painter for many years, showed me how he cuts in next to carpet. Using a very good brush he carefully painted right up to the carpet! He got a little paint on some fibers but not much.

The next day we just ran our fingers along the paint line to pull the stuck fibers off the baseboard. Worked like a charm and I've been doing it that way ever since.

BTW, learning to cut in properly is just like 'getting to Carnagie Hall', practice, practice, practice!

[footprintsinconc]

Thanks guys for the great tips!

if you look at the pictures i posted, part of the base board is burried in carpet. the long threads stand right next to the base board.




i tired to used the wide putty knife for drywalling and a thin piece of pine i had laying around, and i cant get below the bottom horizontal line on the base board. so if i were to paint, then i think i can only get the new paint to that point only.

if the color is off and noticeable, then i think i will have to remove the boards. i cant do that since i that would mean too many base boards to remove becaue we plan on painting the whole house.

[JR]

Omar, try it this way. Hold the putty knive vertically. Push it down between the carpet and baseboard. Now lean it over, exposing the bottom of the baseboard. Apply the paint.

As has been suggested, use a long knife. Mine is 24" long. Wipe it off after each 24" segment of paint is applied.

Removing the baseboards will definitely not be the easy way out.

JR

[crokett]

What JR said. That is exactly how I did it in the two houses I had with carpet. Also, as long as the suggestion of the new color is down by the carpet it doesn't have to be the world's best paint job. When the carpet comes back up it will cover the bottom 1/4" or so of the baseboard anyway.

[footprintsinconc]

thanks guys, i will try it that way.