The Best Paint Edgers: Which One is Right for You?

A paint edging tool may appear intimidating at first. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, though, the edger can help you save time and effort. Otherwise, you can use a sealer to protect your fence, furniture, or wall.

When using a paint edging tool, you may paint around the flooring, window trim, and other items with greater confidence. Here are some pointers to help you use a paint edging tool.

How Does It Work?

A paint edger is a tool that has a pad with bristles and wheels. You put the paint on the pad, then run it along the edge. The wheels keep it in line. You have to prepare the area first so that the pad runs smoothly. When you’re done, you’ll have a smooth edge on your paint job. It takes some practice, but you can do it by focusing on the basics.

1. Prepare

To prepare your surface for painting:

• Start by laying down a drop cloth.
• Remove any tape from areas you do not want to paint, and clean the surface. If you are to paint your deck, you should choose the best deck cleaner to make sure it'll be nicely coated.
• Take your time and do a good job, but don’t spend too much time on it, or you’ll never get the job done.

2. Set-Up

You will require the following items.

• Paint Edger
• Rolling Tray
• Paper Plate

The paper plate can retain the paint and then be discarded when it is no longer needed. After you’ve edged the area, the rolling paint tray will be utilized to remove any surplus paint. Fill the pad with a generous amount of paint, and you’re ready to go.

3. Apply the Edger

Once you have applied paint to the edger, use the ridges of the rolling tray to remove any excess. Then, roll the edger in the direction of the trim or molding. Ensure that you use a smooth, equal stroke to apply the paint. That is essentially it. If desired, a second coat may be applied for a darker color or increased thickness. Additionally, remember to wipe the edger once you’re through.

When you buy paint-edging tools, you may not know what to look for. Knowing your needs and capabilities is important because the tools are different. The best product depends on what your needs and capabilities are.

Size:

When picking an edger, remember to get one large enough to do the job but small enough that you can easily control it. You might want to buy two different-sized edgers or one large edger and a smaller shield for your roller or brush.

Extender:

If you’re painting a huge area, you’ll want to purchase an extender. This will help you stay in one place and paint a larger area. Some edger tool kits come with extenders, which could be a good option for you.

Roll-On Edger vs. Smear-On Edger Roll-On

Roll-On:

This is a paint roller that is small and fluffy. It has a shield around it to paint where you want quickly.

This is because you can use the roller to apply the paint where it is needed.

Smear-On:

This is a pad that lets you cover the paint across the surface. This tool may be dipped or have a tube filled with paint for use. But it is usually small, so you will need to reload it often unless it has a tube connected.

When picking a roll-on edger, you should look at the shield it comes with. This is a metal or plastic shield attached to the roll-on edger.

Metal shields are better than plastic because they produce sharper edges. This provides you with greater control over the tool’s operation.

Brush vs. Pad Edger vs. Painter’s Tape?

If you want to cut in paint, the right tool is important. If you are a professional painter, you might often use a brush. But if it’s just small areas of paint that need to be touched up, then using something like an edger can be faster and cleaner. You will know what to do with the edger if the area is inside or outside.

The following are the typical locations where paint must be cut.

• Windows & Doors
• Above Baseboards & Below Ceiling Trim
• Woodwork

You should pay attention to other areas when painting your home. For example, doorknobs and the area below electrical fixtures that have been removed. In many cases, using masking tape will provide the protection you need.

On the other hand, Masking tape isn’t always practical or quick to apply.

Brush:

A brush or a pad can paint a wall. It's not always easy to get a good edge. But the brush will have more paint, making corners easier. Some people use 2- or 3-inch Purdy and Wooster brushes.

They are designed to cut and fix messy paint edges, so you can cut around doorknobs and other rounded features much faster. The brush's bristles may spread too far apart, resulting in a rough or irregular edge that must be repainted.

Pad Edger:

Painting around curves is not advised. This can cause streaks or thinner paint. With a wheeled edger, you can move it even faster. This may leave gaps that you must fill. Keep a pad edger and a brush handy for edging. Use a brush for curved areas and a pad edger for long straight sections. To get the best look, roll the paint right after cutting in. When painting a room, work on one wall at a time, finishing with the ceiling.

Painter’s Tape:

A cheaper way to edge is using painter’s tape. It is similar to masking tape, but it can be removed more easily. For smaller areas, painter’s tape is an excellent way to edge the paint. But for bigger walls or surfaces, you will need a paint edger tool. In these cases, you should avoid using painter’s tape because it might not be accurate for bigger surfaces.

Tips for Cutting in Paint Like A Pro

Mowing the lawn can be easy. Edging is the hard part. Painting can be hard, too. When it comes to painting, cutting is the most difficult talent to master. You can use masking tape to make sharp edges wherever. Nonetheless, with proper cutting techniques mastered, you can complete the job in a fraction of the time and with professional results. The following six methods will assist you in cutting paint like an expert, achieving the desired results without wasting time or masking tape.

1. Gradual Approach

Instead of painting the line right away, start with a gradual approach. Make crescent-shaped motions near the edge first. Then on your next stroke, get closer to the edge. Make sure that you do not reload the paintbrush each time you go near it. This will eventually let you paint along an edge smoothly without any lines showing up where they shouldn’t be.

2. Keep Steady

Paint cutting is done with a steady hand and fast movements. You will get closer to the line gradually. When you cut, do so with fast strokes that keep the paint even when applied. Cut along the trim on your second or third pass for less curving and less painting on the trim.

3. Pat Away the Excess Paint

Don’t wipe the brush on the sides of the can. This will get rid of the paint you need. Instead, gently pat the excess paint away on the side of the bucket. This will give you enough paint to work with and get smooth, clean lines.

4. Use Just Enough Paint

To avoid having too much paint on your brush, put the paint into a small container. A container just big enough to hold your brush. This will help you to cut properly. You will want about an inch of paint on the brush, so you have enough without too much.

5. Wiggle into The Corners

When painting in tight corners, you can release just enough paint to fill in the area with the brush. This is a straightforward technique for filling in small, tight corners so they do not go unnoticed. You should jiggle just enough to release the paint, but not too much, or the wobble will be obvious.

6. Carry a Putty Knife & Damp Rag

While painting, you can quickly fix it using a putty knife and a damp rag if you make a mistake. Wrap the damp rag around the putty knife, then wipe away the excess paint. Make sure to have this ready so you can fix any mistakes as soon as they happen.

You can learn more about how to use paint edgers by clicking this link.