Hello,

I would like to paint the trims (baseboards and shoe mouldings) in white color. Do I need a special paint or can I go with a generic brand? I have unfinished red oak trims---do I need to prime them or maybe two coats of the same paint?

Thank you in advance.

Oak does not paint well. The heavy grain will show through. But if the trims are already installed and you are determined to paint them, then I would suggest a coat of oil-based white primer followed by one or two coats of a quality enamel in semi-gloss. One usually gets what one pays for in paint. Cheap paint results in poor performance.

Thank you, Gary.

The trims are not installed yet. Do you prefer to stain and put poly on them if this was your project? I have natural maple wood floor and I felt lighter color such as white will match up better than red oak color. Anyway to stain the red oak to light color?

Your opinionis are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I'd have to question why are you using red oak moldings at all? Doesn't paint well and doesn't match the floor either. If I were doing this floor and wanted to paint the trim, I'd get paint grade trim, which is typically pine. See if you can return the red oak moldings and get something else. If you want to match the floor, then get maple. If you want to paint the moldings, get pine. It's that simple.

I agree totally. Along with, the oak trim is to expensive to just paint over!!

Go pine, easier to nail, and doesn't split as easy.

As a finish carpenter I'd recommend returning the red oak if possible and picking up Poplar trim. It will lacquer or paint up much nicer and will look good with your maple floor.

Michael

As a DIYer I agree with the pine or poplar recommendation. In terms of cost as well. I don't mind the painted oak look, but it's just not as uniform of a texture.

We purchased preprimed poplar baseboard and shoe and it made life a lot easier than having to do it ourselves.

When we had our staircase done (the person finished yesterday), for all the painted stuff he used clear pine or poplar.