The purpose of ceiling paint is to conceal flaws and cover all edges in a ceiling. Due to its flatness and the lack of light reflection, little imperfections are muted rather than accentuated. While trim paint is made to be resilient, you can readily clean that with soap and water. The colour is a little denser to prevent drips.The paint on Trim is not harmed by scrubbing or cleansing. Additionally, it comes in a range of finishes.
However, Can you use ceiling paint for Trim? It’s not a good idea to use ceiling paints on Trim.
This article will walk you through some basic ceiling paint information and questions like: what type of paint for ceiling and Trim, and we will also try to solve your queries related to ceiling plants.
Reasons why you cannot use ceiling paint on trim?
Can you use ceiling paint on Trim? Yes, we can but technically one should not opt this. Below we have listed some reasons why you should not go for ceiling paint for Trim.
Doesn’t offer a durable finish:
Positioned at the centre of walls, ceiling trim, also known as crown moulding, aids in creating a visible difference between wall and ceiling. It won’t work as well on the Trim as on the ceiling if we try to paint it with ceiling paint. Considering that it is not resistant to mud, oil, or even further wear and tear.
Not cleanable:
We know that ceiling coatings cannot be regularly cleaned. A few stains will remain even after we wash it with detergent and wipe it off. Resist using ceiling paint instead; trim colours are much easier to clean.
Doesn’t offer many finishes:
Moving on to the finishes, trim paints are available in a range of textures, including velvet, semi-gloss, satin, and others. However, there aren’t many options when it comes to ceiling paint.
Have a flat sheen finish:
Glossy, semi-gloss paint sheens are the best paint finishes for baseboards and trim. All painted baseboards, woodwork, and Trim must have a gloss or semi-gloss glossy coating, not a satin one. Compared to satin paint finishes, semi-gloss allows for more washing, wiping, and deep cleaning.
Can you use flat paint on trim?
Can we use flat paint on Trim? Yes, we can. For interior walls, matte, eggshell, and satin paint work best; semi-gloss and gloss paintwork are best for Trimand woodwork.
You may choose any sort of paint for your Trim, but the ones advised have already been covered.
What kind of paint do you use on trim?
1. Acrylic latex/water-based:
Although water-based paint may achieve a superb finish and leave few brush strokes, these qualities pale compared to oil-based paint. There will be brush strokes. Oil-based paints’ rock-hard shell texture won’t be present on the surface. Water-based trim paints are simple to clean up with water and soap.
There are hardly any or no fumes. It is advised to use synthetic brushes with latex paint. To help with brush cleaning, use a paint comb.
2. Alkyd/Oil-Based:
The traditional trim paint is oil-based. The Trim was likely coated with oil-based paint if your home is at least a few decades old. The better, glass-like surfaces produced by oil-based trim paint have little to no brush traces.
However, this comes at the expense of lengthy drying periods, odours, and solvent-based cleanup procedures. Oil-based paint is effective in filling in small gaps due to its thick nature. Many localities now prohibit oil-based paints in quantities more than quarts due to ordinances that started to be introduced in the late 1990s and early 2000. The oil mixture will harm synthetic bristles, so use only a paintbrush containing natural bristles.
3. Acrylic-Alkyd Hybrid:
The most outstanding qualities of oil- and water-based paints are combined in hybrid alkyd and acrylic. They nonetheless possess the well-liked features of conventional alkyd enamels. They have a glossy, long-lasting finish and are self-levelling and smooth. Hybrid enamels are washable and have excellent adherence.
In essence, all hybrid alkyd enamels benefit from both oil- and water-based formulations. They apply similarly to oil-based enamel and resemble it in appearance. However, they are more ecologically friendly because of the low VOC levels.
How do you paint Trim?
- Clean The Trim:
Learning how and where to paint Trim properly requires preparation. Take action to maintain the area free of dust and paint drips.
- Sand The Trim’s Surface:
Give your smooth woodwork a quick first with 120-grit sandpaper. However, if the Trim is in disrepair, begin using 80-grit sandpaper. For blending and smoothing the areas where paint has been applied in layers, switch to 100-grit. Finally, use 120-grit to thoroughly go over the wood.
- Fill Dents, Gaps, and Cracks:
Use spackling compounds to patch up tiny dings and holes. You will need to apply a secondary and maybe third application after the first coat dries because the silicone caulk compound shrinks since it cures.
- Tape The Trim:
Next step is to tape it down. Here’s a procedure that many novices overlook but that professionals vouch for. Even the most minor cracks and gaps should be taped. The secret is to trim the caulking tube tip to produce a tiny. First, fill in all the little crevices. The caulking tube tip should then be recut to create a more giant hole if there are wider cracks to be filled.
- Apply Primer:
Major advice using stain-blocking priming to prevent wood knots from appearing through the paint if you’re painting stained wood trim rather than over Trim that has already been painted.
- Smooth Out The Trim:
Smoothing the surface is essential in achieving the best finishing. Oil-based paints level up better than most water-based paints, creating a smooth texture with fewer obvious brush strokes.
- Apply Paint:
A painting process is the next and most crucial stage. Making over moulding is difficult, particularly if it has a refined design that may benefit from the use of tiny paint brushes to adequately reach the cracks of the woodwork.
Is ceiling paint the same as trim?
Yes! It’s becoming increasingly common to paint Trimand walls the same colour. So, can ceiling paint be used on Trim? Yes, obviously because ,whether you select a light neutral shade or a rich jewel tone.
Should you use high-gloss for trim?
Only individual tasks should utilise high gloss paint. It has a significant amount of light reflection, giving off a glam reflecting look. When applied wisely, it may be highly magnificent, but you need to ensure that the surface is correct before you paint! Inner door, trim, baseboards, and external doors can all be finished in high gloss.
Do you paint the ceiling first or last?
It is generally best to paint the ceiling first. With no need to worry about overspray, the result of extra paint is applied onto the walls, and you can effectively coat the surface, including at least two coats.
You must always use rollers with the double arm frame while painting the ceiling.
The double-arm frame makes sure that the roller is supported at both ends. This provides equal pressure and coverage during use throughout the breadth of the roller.
FAQ’s
Can I use ceiling paint on wood?
Even if the painting on wood furniture isn’t charming, it may still be utilised. If you have extra paint from painting the walls and ceilings, you may use it to paint a few of your old furnishings, such as cupboards, chairs, tables, etc.
Can you use ceiling paint on crown moulding?

More significantly, ceiling paint usually is coated, has a flat finish and is typically white or a variant of white. Because of this, we do not suggest painting your ceiling and crown moulding the same colour.
Do you paint the cornice the same colour as the ceiling?
Coving is typically coloured in the same colours as the ceiling since it is a junction between the wall and the ceiling.
Should ceiling and wall paint match?
Even if it works well in some rooms, it isn’t always best to paint the walls and ceiling the same colour.
Can you use ceiling paint on other surfaces?
Even though it’s marketed as “ceiling paint,” you may actually use it on any painted white surface in your house. It works best in spaces where surface stains might be an issue.
Can you use ceiling paint on plywood?
Yes, we can use ceiling paint on plywood.
Is it ok to use ceiling paint on walls?
The use of roof paint on walls is acceptable. In some circumstances, using residual white ceiling paints as priming could be recommended as a cost-cutting strategy.
Can I use regular paint on baseboards?
Although you may paint baseboards with either oil-based paint or latex, latex (liquid) colours are much simpler to clean up.
Can you paint trim with wall paint?
Yes! It’s becoming increasingly common to paint Trim and walls the same colour. It is more than acceptable to colour your wall and even the ceiling the same colour, whether you select a light neutral shade or a deep jewel tone.
What paint finish is best for interior Trim?
The best finish for these locations is semi-gloss. An eggshell paint finish will appear “shinier” than a semi-gloss paint finish. Its durable finish makes cleaning even more straightforward with a tougher dried coating.
Conclusion
Trims are surfaces constantly exposed to dirt and other contaminants. Therefore, it is essential to select scrubber paints that can be quickly cleaned using water and soap without damaging them. Semi-gloss paint fits this description. Because it is challenging to wash the dirt off the ceiling paint, it is not appropriate for trimmings. Thank you for reading 🙂