Painting near Windows

If you don't take the proper steps when painting near windows, you can easily find yourself with more work than you wanted. For example, if you would like to be able to open your windows again, there are a few precautions you will need to take. Same with if you would like to actually look through your windows without any paint in the way. To be able to avoid some of the more common issues, simply make sure that you follow these simple guidelines.

Materials needed:

• Metal roller tray
• Angled, natural bristle paintbrush (for best results)
• Three inch trim roller
• Stir stick
• Utility knife
• Paint can opener (or flat tipped screwdriver)
• Drop cloth (canvas or plastic is best)
• Paint
• Lots of newspaper
• Painter's tape

Procedure:

1. Prep and tape the area. Before you can begin painting near windows, you need to properly prepare the area for your work. This means that you need to remove any and all hangings, drapes, or other items that you may have near the windows. Next lay out your drop cloth on the ground in front of the window, and begin taping off the window. The ideal way to do this is by running painters tape along the outer edge of the windows to protect it from getting any paint. You may need to apply couple of rows. Repeat the process on the inside of the windows, but this time adding some newspaper to the mix. Basically you want to tape the newspaper to the windows so that you can keep as much of the paint off of the windows as much as possible. If you have any interior trim, apply the newspaper and painters tape around it, leaving the trim exposed.
2. Get the paint ready. Open your paint can, and stir it all together. This will help prepare the paint for the work you will begin shortly. Pour a little bit of the paint into the roller tray and then slowly roll the roller into the paint.
3. Start at the top. Begin painting your window at the top. This will help you prevent any drips or running paint from ruining any work. In fact, you will be able to help hide any drips or runs when you do it this way. Slowly work the roller over as much of the wood as you can, though you will not be able to get everything. You will need to use the paint brush to cut in and get into the tight corners that the roller can't reach.
4. Work the edges. Repeat the process for the sides of the windows, being sure that you don't miss anything. You may need to use the paintbrush more than before so that you can get everything.
5. Interior trim. When working the interior trim you shouldn't have all that much difficulty since you can simply paint over the trim and not worry about getting the newspaper dirty. However, you may miss a couple of places if you don't use the paint brush to help out.
6. Finish at the bottom. Once again, repeat the painting process at the bottom of the window. Use the roller as much as possible, and then finish up with the paint brush. Make sure that you don't paint over the edge of the window and inadvertently seal the window shut. If you do, you may want to run a utility knife along the edge to help break the seal.
7. Repeat as necessary. Repeat steps three through six as often as necessary for multiple coats of paint. Allow enough time to pass between the coats so that the preceding coat is completely dry prior to you starting the next one.