How to Cut-In Paint Like a Pro

Learn the cutting in paint method that saves you from taping

By
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 01/25/24
Reviewed by
Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier
Reviewed by Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Paintbrush applying white paint to wall near wood window trim

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 30 - 45 mins
  • Yield: Cut in paint in a small room
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $15 to $25

Painting prep, while necessary, slows down the process of interior painting. Applying painter's tape along baseboards, wall and door trim, and crown molding is a painstaking process.

But a technique called cutting in paint lets you dispense with the tape and speed up the job. Learn about cutting in paint with this step-by-step guide, plus get tips for cutting in paint if you're having trouble perfecting the technique.

Before You Begin

Pros recommend using a 2-inch angled brush, often called a sash brush. Also be sure to purchase a cut bucket: a paint bucket that has no inner lip to collect excess paint.

There are small commercial buckets you can buy, usually equipped with a small handle for convenience. But any plastic bucket will work, provided it has straight sides.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • High-quality, 2-inch sash brush
  • Cut bucket

Materials

  • Paint
  • Clean white rag

Instructions

Materials and tools to cut-in paint

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  1. Fill the Bucket With Paint

    Fill a cut bucket with no more than about 1/2 inch of paint. Too much paint in the bucket makes it harder to avoid overloading the brush. Keep the sides of the bucket clear for wiping off excess paint from your brush.

    White paint poured into bucket

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  2. Load the Brush With Paint

    Dip the tip of the brush into the paint. Drag the bristles against the inside edge of the bucket to remove excess paint. The brush should be relatively dry since you'll only be painting small areas at a time.

    Dab paintbrush into paint bucket

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  3. Apply Paint to the Line

    Grip the brush loosely near the bristles as you would grip a pencil. Place the bristles on the surface, forming a wedge shape with the bristles. Use the sharp end of the wedge to start the paint line. Draw the bristles along the line you want to paint. As you begin moving the brush, let the bristles press into a fan shape. The outermost bristles are drawing the line, not the entire bristle surface.

    Tip

    Draw flat crescent shapes with the paint. These crescents start slightly away from the line, move over and track along the line for a few inches, then pull away. Create a long straight line by applying several flat crescents in a row.

    Paint brush applying white paint alongside wood trim

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  4. Broaden the Paint Line

    If you'll be painting the flat of the wall with a roller, broaden the paint line to provide a safety margin when rolling. After painting a fine edge up to the line, follow by widening the line to 2 inches or more.

    Paint brush broadening white paint line

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  5. Clean Mistakes

    Use a clean, white rag slightly dampened with water to wipe off paint that gets onto unintended surfaces or to clean up a messy line.

    Dampened rag cleaning mistakes from wood trim

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Tips For Cutting In Paint

It's more common than not for DIYers to have problems when first cutting in paint. Follow these tips to help perfect the process.

  • Start with a new paint brush, especially if this is your first time.
  • Keep the brush dry and avoid overloading it with paint. It's tempting to want to load up the brush; avoid that temptation.
  • Don't press too hard, as this will only cause the bristles to spread out.
  • Keep the brush moving at a steady, but not fast, pace.
  • As you get more experienced, aim to produce fewer and flatter crescents until you can draw a long line with a single linear brush motion.
  • If you wipe the paint as soon as it's applied, it will come off with no trouble. Waiting just a few minutes can make it harder to remove.
  • Keep a damp rag handy at all times so that you can mop up mistakes as quickly as possible.
  • For large applications, use a straight brush rather than the angled sash brush to broaden the line.

When to Call a Professional

If you've tried cutting in paint and still can't get it, don't worry—sometimes, even the most patient painter can't seem to get the technique. This may be time to call in a professional painter.

Uneven and bumpy surfaces are particularly difficult for cutting in paint; even taping the surface might be difficult. That's another reason you may want to have a professional do the job.