10 Best Paints for Trim of 2024

You might think it’s odd that a Stops Rust paint features in a review about wooden trim paint, but this Rust-Oleum product is suitable for use on indoor and outdoor wooden surfaces. It also works on metal, concrete, masonry, and more, so once the trim is finished, you can get started on those other projects.

Once down, it dries to the touch in 2 to 4 hours, and it covers an area of 90 square feet. The hard gloss finish is weather and UV-resistant, as well as protecting your trim against abrasion, fading, and chipping.

This is an oil-based product, so it does have VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and it has a strong odor, so when working inside, make sure you have good ventilation. It also needs thinner or mineral spirits to clean up the brushes, which is bad for the environment.

However, the oil gives this paint such durability and stops it from weathering in high-traffic areas.

When you work inside, having paint with low odors makes it a more comfortable experience. This Nuvo cabinet paint is the ideal choice because it is water-based, which means odors are kept to a minimum.

It applies straight onto bare wood, and you can even coat painted timber as long as you lightly sand first. This paint is safe to use on kitchen cabinets, window sills, and every other wooden surface in your home.

It has low VOCs, so it is safer for the environment, and you get 50 square feet of coverage, which is a little meager compared to other paints. While the company doesn’t state the drying time, because it is water-based, it typically takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours to be dry enough for a second coat. It also cleans up with soap and water.

However, if you want this specialist cabinet paint, you will need to dig deep because it costs 3 times the price of the Stops Rust gloss paint.

When you are working against the clock, having fast-drying paint is a real bonus. This Varathane Polyurethane paint dries to the touch in just 30 minutes. It only comes in tiny 8-ounce tins, so it might restrict the project size you can undertake, but you still get 31.25 square feet of coverage.

When it comes to the second coat, you should wait 2 hours, and the durable formula gives excellent scratch and stain resistance. This is a clear varnish rather than a paint, but if you want to retain the natural grain of your wooden surfaces, this is the ideal product.

This varnish is perfect for windows, doors, cabinets, trim, and so much more, and because this is a water-based product, it is easy to clean up and safer for the environment. It also dries to a high-gloss finish, enhancing your woodwork.

One thing to note is this is only suitable for interior use as it doesn’t have UV or weather resistance.

This KILZ is perfect for all primed and pre-treated wood and a stand-out choice for outside trim like porches, window and door frames, as well as sidings and fences.

It’s a low-luster paint, so it applies smoothly and dries within 1 hour to the touch and 4 to 6 hours for recoats. This is a 1-gallon tin, so you should have plenty of paint for all those exterior trim projects, and you get between 200 and 300 square feet of coverage on rougher surfaces.

The spread increases to 400 square feet on smoother surfaces. As you would expect for exterior paint, it is UV-resistant, protects against cracking, peeling, and fading in all weather conditions.

This KILZ paint is mildew-resistant, and because it is a water-based formula, it washes clean easier and is safe for the environment.

The only downside is this is exterior paint, so it won’t cover interior trim; plus, it only works on properly prepared surfaces.

When you want to touch up your front door, this Modern Masters exterior door paint really makes your property stand out from the crowd. And when you are done transforming your door, you will want your window frames and other woodwork to match.

It is a low odor paint, water-based, so it cleans up with soap and water and is safe for the environment thanks to low VOCs. It also means that if you want to paint the interior of your door, you can.

It dries to the touch in just 1 hour, and you get 100 square feet of coverage, and the Never Fade technology ensures the paint job stays looking its best for a very long time. The only downside is the price. It costs over 3 times the price of the Stops Rust paint.

It’s a fact of life that your interior trim work will get marked and stained. Hands, odors, cooking splatters all play their part. It’s important to choose washable paint like this Prestige primer, and paint in one.

The other advantage of this product is you don’t need to prime the surface before painting. Thanks to its water-based formula it has a super-smooth application, cleans up with soap and water, and is low in VOCs, which means it is better for the environment.

You get between 250 and 400 square feet of coverage depending on the quality and porosity of the surface, and it dries within 4 to 6 hours, ready for a second coat.

The semi-gloss finish dries to a hard, washable shell, and it even comes with a stirring stick and a can opener. However, it may not be suitable for all surfaces because gloss shows up every imperfection.

Acrylic latex paint is washable, low in odors and VOCs, so it is good for your health and the environment. It also means you can use it safely indoors without too much ventilation.

You get up to 120 square feet of coverage, depending on the porosity of the surface, and it dries to the touch in just 30 minutes for quick project completion. It has a matte finish, which is perfect for minimizing surface imperfections, and it applies to concrete, masonry, plaster, metal, and unglazed ceramic.

Because it is latex paint, it washes clean with soap and water, and it is suitable for interior and exterior projects. However, unlike some paints, this one requires thorough surface preparation with sandpaper and degreaser prior to painting it on.

Because this Microblend product is a one-coat, paint and primer in one, you can paint it straight onto bare wood. That saves time and money. This paint is low in VOCs, odors, and it dries to a silky-smooth semi-gloss sheen.

This paint is stain-resistant, washable, and comes in over 300 color choices. You can get it in eggshell, satin, matte, and gloss sheens, and it comes in several sizes.

The thing that makes Microblend stand out is they are a paint on-demand company, which means they receive your order and make up your color batch on-demand. It means you get super-fresh paint, but the downside is that each batch may be a slightly different shade.

The other downside is you only get 87.5 square feet of coverage, which is meager compared to some products.

If you are looking for a great all-around performance from your trim paint, this Majic Paints hits the spot. It works on metal, wood, ceramics, drywall, glass, and just about any other surface you can think of.

It doesn’t require sanding or priming. It paints straight onto treated and untreated surfaces, which speeds up your project completion time, and it levels to a super-smooth finish.

It comes in 10 color options, and it covers up to 112 square feet, depending on the quality of the surface. It also dries to the touch in 1-hour and is ready for the second coat within 8 hours.

Now for the negatives: the paint surface is incredibly delicate for 30 days, so it should not be subjected to any impact. However, because it is a water-based product, it washes clean with soap and water and is better for the environment.

When you are watching the pennies, finding a decent budget paint is all the more satisfying. This Diamond Brite is a great affordable trim paint. It dries to a hard shell with a semi-gloss finish and is suitable for walls and trim.

It has dirt and grease resistance, a low odor, which is better for indoor use in confined spaces, and it can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed.

The drying time between coats is 30 minutes, and you get 300 to 350 square feet of coverage, depending on the quality of the surface. Because it has a semi-gloss finish, it stands up to washing and scrubbing much better than matte colors.

As a negative, many customers have complained that this paint is thin, so it applies in several coats before you get a smooth finish.