Noah Bennett

Noah Bennett

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Best Trim Paints

Noah Bennett
11 min readOct 6, 2024

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the best trim paint options currently available in the market. We understand the importance of selecting the right trim paint to highlight and protect your home’s interior and exterior trims. Our roundup features a curated selection of high-quality, durable, and stylish paint options that cater to various preferences. Dive in to discover your perfect match and elevate your home’s visual appeal with ease!

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Reviews

Extra White Water-Based Door and Trim Paint (1-Gallon) by Sherwin-Williams — Smart-Dry Technology for Durability and Easy Clean-up

This HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Extra White water-based trim paint is a 1-gallon, high-gloss, 100% acrylic formula that boasts Smart-Dry technology to ensure a quick drying process that prevents windows and doors from sticking. With resistance against cracking, peeling, and blistering, this durable paint is perfect for a range of surfaces including doors, windows, and cabinets. The high-quality paint offers a professional and attractive finish, making it a standout choice for those seeking a reliable, long-lasting trim paint.

Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec SCUFF-X Satin Trim Paint — White

Benjamin Moore’s Ultra Spec SCUFF-X Satin is a top-quality trim paint that boasts an innovative scuff-resistant formula, extreme durability, and quick drying time. It’s perfect for busy commercial spaces or your home’s walls, trim, and doors. This satin finish is easy to apply and features great coverage. Plus, it’s suitable for use in USDA inspected facilities. Users love the high-quality finish and ease of cleaning, with many praising its durability and resistance to scuff marks.

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Extra White High-Gloss Water-Based Trim Paint (1-quart) — Durable, Easy-to-Clean Finish

Transform your doors and trim with HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams High-Gloss Extra White Water-Based Interior/Exterior Door and Trim Paint. This resilient formula boasts Smart-Dry Technology for quick-drying windows and doors in just two hours, ensuring a beautiful, crack-free finish that withstands the elements. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, this versatile paint effortlessly adheres to various surfaces and provides excellent coverage, making it the perfect choice for an attractive and durable update.

1 qt. Ultra Pure White Base Semi-Gloss Interior Trim Paint

Experience the unmatched ease and durability of BEHR PREMIUM Cabinet, Door & Trim Interior/Exterior Semi-Gloss Enamel, providing exceptional coverage for your projects. This versatile paint dries to a hard, resilient finish, perfect for use on cabinets, doors, trim, windows, shutters, and more. With its outstanding block resistance and all-weather protection, this ultra-pure white base semi-gloss paint ensures quick return to service, making it the ultimate choice for your home makeover needs.

Rust-Oleum Satin Alpine Gray Trim Paint

Transform your interior or exterior metal, wood, and fiberglass doors and trim with the versatile Alpine Gray Satin paint from Rust-Oleum. This water-based formula ensures easy, low-odor application and cleanup with soap and water, while delivering a long-lasting finish with minimal fading and chipping. Drying to the touch in just 45 minutes, it provides ultimate protection and mildew resistance, making it your go-to choice for a fresh, modern design. The satin finish adds a sleek and elegant touch, available in six pre-mix color options for the perfect match.

SEM 39143 Trim Paint: 15 oz. Black Can

This is a high-quality trim paint that provides a durable and long-lasting satin finish for both interior and exterior applications. It’s easy to use and dries quickly, giving you a professional-looking result with minimal effort. This versatile paint works well on various materials like plastic, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and chrome, making it a perfect choice for restoring and maintaining the appearance of your vehicle. With consistent good reviews, a rating of 4.8, and a smooth satin finish, you can trust this product to deliver a visually appealing and quality finish every time.

Behr Ultra Pure White Base Semi-Gloss Trim Paint

Get ready for a smooth and durable painting experience with BEHR’s Ultra Pure White Semi-Gloss Trim Paint. With an easy-to-use application and a fast-drying formula, this paint is perfect for interior projects like cabinets, doors, and trim. Its all-weather protection makes it suitable for outdoor use as well. The high-quality paint promises a high-quality finish with no unpleasant odor, and it’s effortless to clean up. Ideal for various surfaces, this paint is truly a worthwhile investment for any painting project.

HGTV Semi-Gloss Ultra White Doors & Trims Paint

Introducing the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Interior and Exterior Door and Trim paint, an acrylic urethane enamel formula that promises a factory-like finish with no brush marks. Designed for seamless application with brush, roller, or sprayer, this paint delivers a tough, long-lasting finish with ease. Don’t let paint mishaps dampen your spirits; this paint offers soap-and-water cleanup, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Let the paint’s impressive coverage and high-quality finish transform your interior and exterior spaces with grace.

White, Rust-Oleum Satin Door and Trim Paint — Durable, Low Odor, Quick Drying Coverage

Enhance your door and trim’s curb appeal with Rust-Oleum’s Satin Door and Trim Paint. This water-based formula offers impressive durability and mildew resistance, ensuring a long-lasting finish. Its low odor makes it easy to use, and quick drying time of 45 minutes allows you to handle the paint within 4–6 hours. Despite the quick drying time, you can easily recoat within 1 hour, and the paint is fully dry after 6 hours. The satin finish comes with six pre-mix color options, making it suitable for both interior and exterior metal, wood, and fiberglass surfaces. With a coverage of 6.5 square feet per quart, one can can effortlessly refresh your doors and trim.

Rust-Oleum Black Matte Trim & Bumper Paint

Rust-Oleum’s Black Matte Trim and Bumper Spray Paint transforms your vehicle’s exterior, giving it a fresh, vibrant look. Its unique formula adheres to almost any surface, making it suitable for various parts, such as metal rims, moldings, bumpers, and more. The any-angle spray technology ensures coverage of tricky zones, while the comfortable-tip nozzle provides an effortless spraying experience. This versatile paint offers impressive protection against rust and enhances your vehicle’s durability, all while delivering a professional-looking finish.

Zinsser Trim Paint: Mold and Mildew-Proof, White Satin Interior

Looking for a durable, washable paint for your bathroom or kitchen? Zinsser’s Perma Mold and Mildew-Proof White Satin Paint is the perfect choice, offering resistance to mold and mildew growth. This acrylic-based paint dries quickly and has a low odor, making it ideal for high-humidity areas. With a mildewcide that prevents mold and mildew on the paint film, this product is perfect for residential, commercial, and even indoor air quality remediation environments. Simply apply with a synthetic bristle brush and enjoy the ease of use and visual appeal of this high-quality product.

Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to trim paint, selecting the right product is crucial for achieving a quality and long-lasting finish. In this buyer’s guide, we will discuss the key features and considerations for this type of paint, as well as providing general advice to ensure you make an informed decision.

Important Features to Consider

When shopping for trim paint, there are several essential features to take into account to ensure that you get the best possible results. These features include:

  1. Coverage — The coverage of the paint should be high, which means fewer coats are needed to achieve a smooth finish. 2. Drying time — A quick-drying paint is preferable, as it allows you to move on to the next coat without waiting too long. 3. Durability — Trim paint should be resistant to scratches, fading, and moisture to maintain its appearance over time. 4. Ease of application — The paint should be easy to apply, with a smooth consistency and even flow. 5. Color options — Trim paint should be available in a wide range of colors, allowing you to match it with your existing decor or create a new look.

Considerations for Your Trim

To choose the right trim paint, you should consider the type of trim you have. Different types of trim, such as wood, plastic, or metal, may require specific paint that adheres better and lasts longer. Make sure to select a paint that is suitable for the type of trim you have, and read the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure compatibility.

General Advice for Applying Trim Paint

To get the most out of your trim paint, follow these general tips:

  1. Prep your surface — Ensure that the trim is clean, dry, and free of dirt, dust, or debris before you begin painting. 2. Prime the surface — Priming the trim before painting increases adhesion and coverage, making it easier to apply your paint evenly. 3. Apply multiple coats — For best results, apply at least two coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. 4. Use the right tools — Use high-quality paintbrushes, rollers, and trays for a smoother and more professional finish. 5. Protect your flooring — Cover the flooring around the trim with plastic or drop cloths to avoid paint spills and accidents.

Making the Right Purchase Decision

As you navigate the market for trim paint, remember to pay attention to the features, options, and recommendations outlined in this buyer’s guide. By considering these details and taking the time to choose the right paint for your project, you can ensure a high-quality and long-lasting finish for your trim.

FAQ

How do I choose the right trim paint?

Choosing the right trim paint is essential to achieve a professional and long-lasting finish. Consider factors such as color, sheen level, and the type of surface you’re painting. For example, high-gloss trim paint is ideal for hiding imperfections, while a satin or semi-gloss finish offers a balance between durability and ease of maintenance.

Additionally, you’ll want to select a trim paint that is compatible with the type of surface you’re painting. Acrylic latex trim paint is a popular choice for most surfaces, including wood, metal, and drywall, while oil-based trim paint is a better option for glossy or previously painted surfaces that require an extra adhesive quality.

What is the difference between trim paint and wall paint?

Trim paint and wall paint might look similar, but their formulas and purposes differ significantly. Trim paint is designed to provide a durable and long-lasting finish on trim, molding, and other architectural details. It generally has a higher sheen level (between a satin and high-gloss finish) to enhance the visual appeal of these elements.

On the other hand, wall paint is made to cover larger areas and improve the overall appearance of the walls. It typically offers a low to moderate sheen level to create a smooth and uniform finish. Wall paint is specifically formulated for use on walls, ceilings, and other large surfaces, while trim paint should not be used for painting these areas.

Do I need a primer before painting trim?

Yes, it’s generally recommended to use a primer before painting trim to ensure a smooth and even finish. A primer helps the paint adhere better to the surface, creates a more consistent coverage, and prevents bleed-through from previously painted surfaces. Additionally, if you’re painting over a dark or stained surface, a primer can help the new paint color appear brighter and more vibrant.

There are different types of primers available, such as oil-based, water-based, or shellac-based. Choose one based on the type of surface you’re painting and the compatibility with your chosen trim paint. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times for optimal results.

How many coats of trim paint should I apply?

The number of coats required for trim paint varies depending on the specific product, the surface you’re painting, and the desired finish. As a general guideline, two coats are typically sufficient for most projects. However, you may need to apply extra coats if the paint is not opaque enough or if the surface requires more coverage.

Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the number of coats and drying times. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat to ensure proper adhesion and a flawless finish. Additionally, remember to sand between coats for an extra smooth surface before applying the final coat of paint.

Do I need a special brush or roller for trim painting?

For trim painting, a high-quality brush with natural bristles, such as a 2-inch or 3-inch angled brush, is ideal for reaching tight spaces and creating clean lines. Look for a brush with synthetic bristles if you’re working with oil-based trim paint, as natural bristles can become brittle when used with this type of paint.

Alternatively, a small foam roller can be used for larger areas or for touch-ups after using a brush. Choose a foam roller with a short pile and a smooth texture for best results. Always clean your brush or roller thoroughly after use to maintain its quality and ensure a consistent finish in future projects.

Can I apply trim paint over previously painted surfaces?

Yes, you can apply trim paint over previously painted surfaces, but it’s essential to prepare the area properly to ensure a smooth and even finish. Start by sanding the surface to remove any rough spots, loose paint, or glossiness. This step will create a better bond between the new trim paint and the old paint layer.

If you’re painting over a glossy or previously painted surface, consider using an oil-based or shellac-based primer to help the new trim paint adhere better. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times to achieve the best results. Additionally, apply a coat of the new trim paint directly over the primer to ensure proper adhesion and coverage.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you!

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