If you’ve ever taken on a DIY interior paint project, it’s likely that you know how important it is to achieve crisp, clean lines when cutting in along edges, corners, windows, and trim. You’ve probably even found yourself wondering, “should I use a paint edger tool to cut in a wall with paint?” In this blog post, we’re giving you our professional answer to this question along with our favorite tool and a step-by-step guide on cutting in with a paint brush.
In This Post
Should I Use a Paint Edger Tool When DIYing?
Before we answer this question, it’s important to understand what a paint edger tool is and what it does. A paint edger tool is designed to help you cut in straight lines along edges and corners so your paint goes on crisp and clean. At first thought, this tool sounds like an appealing, effective, and simple way to achieve professional-looking results. However, for DIYers, a paint edger tool is often more challenging and frustrating to use than other methods.
After working in a paint store for many years, I had the opportunity to help many customers purchase tools for their DIY projects, including paint edger tools. I often heard feedback that these tools were frustrating and difficult to use effectively. They often led to unwanted paint smudges on the ceiling and opposite walls, inconsistent lines, and amateur results. In fact, many paint store experts don’t recommend paint edger tools because of their reputation. That’s why you can typically find these tools in the less expensive DIY section of paint stores, rather than being promoted as essential painting tools. At Oak City Coatings, none of our painters use paint edger tools, such as the Accubrush or Shur-line. You can learn more about common DIY mistakes to avoid and how to fix them in this blog post.
Our Favorite Tool For Cutting In With a Paint Brush
Instead of relying on a paint edger tool, our favorite tool for cutting in with a paint brush is Frog Tape and a damp rag. This is a better alternative than the others because Frog Tape is known for its extra strong adhesion and clean paint lines. It has a patented PaintBlock technology that reacts with water and the paint on the edge of the tape. This creates a micro-barrier, which prevents paint from bleeding, creating sharp, clean lines.
@oakcitycoatings One of the biggest tells of a DIY paint project – jagged paint lines. 🫣 Did you know that Frog Tape has a powdered sealing agent and after taping your walls, if you wipe the tape with a damp rag it will activate the sealant and it will help seal the tape edge resulting in cleaner cut lines. 🙌 ➡️ oakcitycoatings.com/frogtape Have a DIY paint project on your to-do list, be sure to save this post for later and follow for more paint tips and tricks. @FrogTape #painting #diyproject #diypainting #diypainthack #sherwinwilliams #homeimprovement #homeproject #homeprojectdiy #propainters #askapainter #oakcitycoatings #ncpainters #frogtape
How to Achieve Crisp, Clean Lines With Frog Tape
If you’re looking to tackle your next DIY interior painting project, check out this step-by-step guide on how to achieve crisp, clean lines with Frog Tape.
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
Make sure the wall you’re painting is clean, dry, and that all debris and dust has been removed and any imperfections have been corrected. Proper paint prep is key!
Step 2: Apply Frog Tape
Carefully apply the Frog Tape along the edges of the wall and the corners that need to be cut in with paint. Press down firmly on the tape to ensure proper adhesion to the surface.
Step 3: Use a Wet Rag to Activate the PaintBlock Technology
Use a damp rag to gently wet the edges of the Frog Tape. The water will activate the PaintBlock technology to create a strong seal against the paint. Just be sure to wring out the excess water before wetting to avoid drips and uneven paint application.
Step 4: Cut In and Paint
Now that the Frog Tape is in place and the PaintBlock technology is activated, you can paint the desired area and cut in with a paint brush or roller to achieve precise lines, without having the paint bleed.
Step 5: Remove Frog Tape
Finally, remove the Frog Tape carefully before the paint completely dries. Do this at a 45-degree angle to maintain the sharp lines you created.
While paint edger tools may seem like a convenient solution at first glance, they often don’t lend to the results you desire. Instead, stick to the tried and true method of using Frog Tape with a damp rag to achieve the professional-looking paint job you desire, even as a DIYer!
For more tips on how to make your DIY paint job look more professional, check out this blog post!
If you’re unsure about tackling your next interior painting project solo and would feel more confident working with a professional to transform your space, book a call with our team to learn more about our interior paint services. We’d love to work with you!
