Paint Surface Preparation

One of the most important parts to any paint job is to first protect the unpainted features. Surfaces like floors, baseboards, lighting and fixtures should be protected with some combination of tape, paper, plastic, drops or simply removed all together as is the case with wall plates. Spending the time to protect these areas leads to a clean professional finish and more memorable paint experience.

Now there are always exceptions to the rule, like we are pulling the carpet right after you paint, but these are typically the processes we follow to protect surfaces prior to paint work.

When we cut and roll walls. We typically don't tape door and window frames because our skilled painters cut such fine lines, but we always apply tape/paper to baseboards and keep a drop cloth moving along with the roller.
When we cut and roll ceilings. Ceilings are a different story, floors must be completely covered as even the finest of painters will have a few roller drops over the course of the project. So if possible paper/plastic, worst case drops.
When we brush trim. Tape off baseboard on the floor side and cut in wall side (premium china bristle brush), cut in crown molding features, window frames and door jams using drop cloths and paper as needed.
When we use a spray rig. Must completely protect all unpainted surfaces - tape/paper to floors, tape/plastic to lighting and fixtures, remove plates and tape sockets then use drop and paint shields as needed.