Replies

1. 
   RalphWicklund | Mar 25, 2004 08:28am | #1

   I find that using an old wornout 10-12" drywall knife to lever and compress the carpet away from the base works well. Sometimes have to add a line of tape if the carpet springs back too quickly.

1. 
   Handydan | Mar 25, 2004 09:50am | #2

   I also have used the drywall knife trick, but have liked a long strip of cardboard better.  only needs to be a couple inches wide, and as long as you can get.  Just wedge it under the trim, and enjoy!

   Dan

2. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Mar 25, 2004 11:01am | #3

   You can buy carpet protecter strips at home depot about 4 ft long made of plastic with lip thin and flexible will fit under base.

   ANDYSZ2

   I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.

   Remodeler/Punchout

3. 
   PhillGiles | Mar 25, 2004 06:09pm | #4

   Dozens of techniques are used, from venetian blind slats to a 24" Richard painting edge guide. All work to some degree based on circustances; the critical success factor seems to be the height above the subfloor that the original trimmer set the base at.

   One method that has legs is to use 2" or 3" paper, carton tape (you know, the brown paper stuff that has dry adhesive on one side which must be wetted to make it stick). Don't wet the adhesive, just tuck it under the baseboard (adhesive side down) to protect the carpet

   .

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   Senna | Mar 25, 2004 09:21pm | #5

   I've tried the plastic stips from HD. I'll give them a C+.

   Today I've been using 1 1/2 inch masking tape and tucking it in. I was using 3/4 inch yesterday. Waste of time.

   The 1 1/2 seems to be working OK. But I still get a small paint ridge at times especially on stairs.

   Should I remove the tape before the tape dries?

1. 
   RW | Mar 26, 2004 12:05am | #6

   Might try taping it twice. First run leave it high enough you can slide a knife sideways and tuck it under. Second run grab the first tape and pull it back towards you clear of the base. Holds the carpet away until the paint is dry. 2" - more stickum. Or learn how to restretch carpet really really fast. I've actually done that before - not restretching myself, but in a room where everything was getting paint, nice thick nappy new carpet, it was economically more sane to just pull the stuff and have someone restretch it a few days later."If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

4. 
   bill_1010 | Mar 26, 2004 01:20am | #7

   scrap vinyl siding works well.  Various lengths and pretty paint resistant.  Becareful to wipe it off when you move it around since paint wont absorb into the vinyl.

5. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 26, 2004 03:07am | #8

   Back in the 70's I used used computer punch cards.  I just tucked them in all around the room.  When I went by with the brush I pushed each card down to get good access, then let it spring back.  It only touched the wet paint well below the carpet surface, so it didn't show.

1. 
   Senna | Mar 26, 2004 07:42am | #10

   "Back in the 70's I used used computer punch cards. "

   Somehow I don't think CD-ROM's would work as well.

1. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 27, 2004 12:20am | #11

   Well maybe if you had an itty bitty round room.

6. 
   FramerJay | Mar 26, 2004 03:55am | #9

   Yesterday I was painting a door jamb and didnt want to get it on the weatherstrip, so I grabbed the nearest paint shield---a leftover piece of "apron flashing" for where a roof meets a wall---and a piece of rain diverter I had leftover from roofing. Both products did fine, and both come in 10' lengths. I actually liked using this stuff more than my 3' painting shield--less moving it!

   Jason Pharez Construction

   Mobile, Alabama

   General Carpentry, Home Repairs, and Remodeling

   When quality is your only consideration

7. 
   bkhy | Mar 27, 2004 02:09am | #12

   that's why it's called work

1. 
   geob21 | Mar 27, 2004 02:18am | #13

   Try your local counter top shop.

   They'll have lots of scrap laminate. Rip it into 4" strips and tuck it under the base.

   Works for me.

2. 
   Senna | Mar 27, 2004 03:42am | #14

   The problem is not work. The problem is doing it well.

   Actually I have finished and it turned out well.

8. 
   baseboardking | Mar 28, 2004 01:14am | #15

   Buy (or steal) a roll of flashing. Cut to length-many lengths. Tuck under carpet and baseboard. Jostle a little laterally to prevent a continuous skin sticking from flashing to baseboard.

   Baseboard been VERRRY good to me
9. 
   MarkH | Mar 28, 2004 04:58am | #16

   I am painting some base trim. The carpet is a deep pile carpet which shows the paint if a drop of paint gets on it. Been using masking tape but it very slow going. Any tips?

   Painting trim with either carpet or masking tape especially is generally slow going. I would try using a paint brush instead.