What a valid question this is. Unless you already know how to paint and have experience both cutting in and rolling, I can see why a person might ask this question. With painting your either rolling or your cutting in and which one should you choose to do first?
Do you cut in before or after rolling? It is recommended to cut in before rolling when painting. Cutting in first, allows you to roll up to the brushed on paint without worrying about hitting the other wall or ceiling. There are special situations where it might make sense to cut in first however these decisions are usually made by someone with quite a bit of experience.
It’s pretty straight forward, right? Cut in first then use your roller to roll up to the cut in line. Well, most of the time it is, yet there are some instances where it would be good to know if you should maybe roll first. In this article, I will go over everything I can think of so you can feel confident when you start your painting task. Let’s get started.
Why Should You Cut in Before Rolling on paint?
Cutting in when painting is the task of applying paint around the perimeter of a wall or ceiling. Painting the edges and then rolling on paint with a roller afterwards.
- Cutting in first allows you to paint up to the outside edge of the wall or ceiling you are painting. The width of the area you cut in depends on the width of the brush. Obviously using a 4” wide paint brush will create a wider edging than a 2” wide brush. Unless of course you use the 2” brush painting two layers to increase the width of the cutting in.
- Cutting in means there is less chance of you running the roller into the ceiling or a wall that is a different color.
- Some people like to have a border so cutting in first gives them that border to work within.
- Rolling in after usually leaves a nicer looking paint job. This is because you can roll on top of the cut in area which personally, I think looks better than brush work.
That is basically it for cutting in and why you should do that first.
Should You Let Your Cut In Dry Before Rolling?
There is no need to let the cut in dry before rolling. In fact if the paint is still wet and there are brush marks, chances are when rolling you will roll over and fix thicker paint that might have brush lines.
Depending on how big of an area you are cutting in and if you are by yourself, the paint might dry regardless, by the time you get to rolling. If there are two people painting, then the roller can start as soon as there is enough space to get to work.
Do You Cut in for Second Coat?
Yes, always apply a second cut in coat.
Because of how thick the paint will be when rolling it will be noticeable at the inner corners if you don’t apply a couple of coats from cutting in.
My experience is usually I don’t have to cover as much area as the first time. I find I can get the roller fairly close to the inside corner so don’t have to widen the area painted with the brush.
Can You Cut in and Paint the Next Day?
Yes, if you want. There is nothing wrong with cutting in one day then rolling the next. The only thing to watch for is to do your best not to leave deep brush marks in the paint. Do your best to keep the paint smooth. Most times paint will flatten as it dries, this is just something to be aware of. It’s easier to fix when wet versus working with dried paint.
When it’s Okay to Roll before Cutting In
- If you are painting inside corners of a wall where both sides of the wall are the same color, then it’s okay to cut in afterwards. When I am in this situation, I run the roller right up to the other wall then repeat on the other side. Sometimes I don’t even need to cut in when I roll like this.
- When your painting skill level is improving and you have a steady hand, I would say it is safe to roll before cutting in. As you improve, you will be able to roll first then cut in. This will save you time as rolling goes much quicker than brush work.
- When you are priming walls and ceilings, it is okay to roll first. All of the paint, regardless of where you are painting, should be a white primer for new drywall. Even if you are using a ceiling paint, it should match up nicely.
What is the Best Size Paint Brush for Cutting In?
Personally, I like using a brush in the 2 ½” to 3” range for cutting in. I have seen many professional painters use this size so I must be on the right track. That being said, I have also seen painters using a much wider brush so they can cover a larger area when cutting in.
What is the Best Paint Brush for Cutting In?
The best paint brush is the brush you enjoy using the most. As I just mentioned, I prefer brushes around 2 ½” for cutting in.
I also prefer using a sash brush because of the way the end of the brush is angled. I find this shape helpful for getting into the corner and leaving a nice straight application of paint. I just lead in with the point of the brush and it works fantastic.
For a beginner, I would recommend a sash style paint brush.
Conclusion
In conclusion I would just like to remind you that cutting in first should be the way you attack any painting job until you have gained enough experience to know when you might roll first.
After you have painted a few times, you will get the hang of it. It really isn’t a hard job to do. The hardest part in my mind is making sure you don’t leave any lines in your paint.
You are now armed with some great information. Good luck on your next painting job, fellow handymen.
