Should Crown Molding Be Painted First

While you have options about how to approach painting your walls, you should always paint or otherwise finish the molding itself prior to installation. Prime the molding before painting, and for both paint and other finishes, apply the finish to all sides, even the back. This prevents warping.

When painting is it better to do trim first?

“Paint all the woodwork first—the first and second coats—then move onto the walls,” says O’Neil. “If you toggle back and forth, your cutlines won’t be as sharp. When you do the woodwork first, you can ride the trim paint onto the walls a little, then cut over it in one go.”

Should I paint the crown molding?

We highly recommend painting your crown moulding to match your existing trim as closely as possible for a cohesive and finished look. For example, if your baseboard trim is a light gray color, use the same shade for your crown moulding. The same advice goes for the trim around your doorways.