Crown molding is a type of wood or plaster ceiling trim that adds depth and texture to the room. You may like this look, find the idea of installing or replacing trim too tedious or out of your budget during a remodel. Luckily, you can achieve this same look by painting faux crown molding or make existing molding look fancier with trim pieces. Follow these steps to paint faux crown molding.
Prepare to Paint the Faux Molding
To paint faux molding, gather:
- work gloves
- eye goggles
- step ladder
- damp rag
- level or ruler
- pencil
- painter's tape
- drop cloths or plastic
- wood putty
- nails and nail gun or hammer (optional)
- miter box and hand saw (optional)
- decorative molding (optional)
- angled paint brush and roller
- latex primer and paint
Set up a step ladder to access the ceiling. Move furniture to the center of the room, raise a window to ventilate, and lay drop cloths or plastic sheeting over the floor. Wipe down the ceiling with a damp rag and use the wood filler to repair holes.
Determine Placement
Determine where to place the faux molding. The average molding height is one to two inches for lower ceilings an between three to six inches for eight-foot ceilings, but choose a desired height close to the height of baseboards.
Mark the desired height and location with a pencil every four inches per two to three feet around the wall. Apply painter's tape around the perimeter and to the lower edge of existing molding, if needed, to protect it from paint. Use a level or straight edge to join marks.
Install the Strip or Paint the Molding
If you are adding a strip, measure the section and add 10% to account for waste. Use a miter box and hand saw to trim molding to size.
Paint the trim piece before installing it using the same color as the existing molding or a matching accent color. Prime the trim piece with the angled paint brush, let it dry completely, then paint it with the chosen color. Add a second paint layer, if needed, after the first layer dries. To save time, use an all-in-one paint and primer.
Install the molding by nailing it in place. Leave a two-inch gap between existing molding and the wall, or a four-inch gap for thicker molding trim, then paint the gap.
To paint molding without the trim, start painting the space at the corners, then paint the space above the tape. Keep paint off the ceiling by holding a manila folder or thick paper against the ceiling above your work area. Add another coat after the first dries and remove the tape after the second layer dries.
Contact a company knowledgeable about painting services for more information.
