How to Cut-In Edge
When Painting

The only thing more important than learning how to cut-in edge when painting is to know when to cut-in. For instance, you would be doing yourself a favor to cut-in paint in any area where a roller cannot reach and easily cover the surface with paint, like next to trim, wall corners, and where the wall meets the ceiling. It also helps to cut-in paint during priming and for your first coat of paint. If you think your second coat would benefit from another cut-in, go for it! Typically though, it’s not necessary to cut-in twice for the final coats of color.

Anytime you’re painting, there’s always a chance for paint splatters and drips. While Zibra paintbrushes offer maximum pickup and release of paint through micro-tip flagged filaments, your roller can’t make the same promise. That’s why you need painting accessories like drop cloths and painting aprons to catch any potential drips, splatters, or spills. Don’t forget to rotate your brush as you make your way to the corners to further prevent any drips off the brush.

With your cut-in paintbrush in hand, dip the first 1/3 of the bristles into the paint, scraping off any excess on the side of the paint can. Next, slowly and evenly distribute the paint about ½” away from the corner or edge, working in small but full strokes and brushing outward as you move down the length of the wall, and then back the other way to fill in any missed spots.

If you want to cut-in paint at ceiling without taping it off, you can “score” the wall with a small razor, creating a straight line. This scoring will not be noticeable after your paint job but will help create a smooth paint line along the top of the wall, with the paint application filling it in once you begin to cut-in at the ceiling. If this is not a step you’re comfortable doing, just simply take your time and slowly cut-in paint at the ceiling to reduce any chance of getting paint on the ceiling itself.

Depending on preference, you can cut-in the entire room or area before rolling out, or you can cut-in one area, then immediately roll out the wall to blend the paint. This is completely based on personal preference. You may also choose to roll out the small portions of the cut-in after you’ve applied the main cut-in with the brush so that you have a more uniform paint job once you begin rolling out the big sections of the wall.

Once all of your cut-ins are complete, you can move on to rolling out the big sections of wall and finishing up yet another gorgeous, professional-looking paint job!

With the right tips, tricks, and paintbrushes, learning how to cut-in paint fast and like a pro is a piece of cake. Shop Zibra today to find your new favorite paintbrush, or visit the Zibra Blog to learn the best way to tackle the rest of your home improvement projects!