Best Paint for Trim

Trim paint takes more abuse than wall paint — it gets bumped, scuffed, cleaned, and touched constantly. The best trim paint needs to be hard, durable, washable, and have a sheen that makes architectural details pop. Here's what to look for and the tools that help you apply it perfectly.

What Makes a Great Trim Paint

The best trim paints are semi-gloss or gloss finish (for durability and washability), have excellent leveling to minimize brush marks, dry to a hard film that resists scuffs and dents, and are bright white or off-white to complement wall colors. Water-based (latex) trim paints have largely replaced oil-based for most applications — they dry faster, clean up with water, and have improved dramatically in hardness and durability.

Tools for the Best Trim Paint Results

• Floetrol paint conditioner — add to latex trim paint to dramatically reduce brush marks
• Painter's tape 1-inch — for masking walls when painting trim
• Painter's tape 2-inch — for masking floors when painting baseboards
• Krud Kutter deglosser — for prepping existing glossy trim before repainting without sanding
• 220-grit sanding sponge — for light sanding between coats for an ultra-smooth finish

Top Trim Paint Picks

Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel

The gold standard for trim paint. Emerald Urethane is a water-based alkyd hybrid that combines the easy cleanup of latex with the hardness and leveling of oil-based paint. It dries to an exceptionally hard, smooth film with virtually no brush marks. Available in semi-gloss and gloss. Worth the premium price for trim that will look perfect for years.

Benjamin Moore Advance

Benjamin Moore's water-based alkyd trim paint is a close competitor to Emerald Urethane. Advance has a very long open time (stays wet longer), which gives it exceptional leveling — brush marks virtually disappear as it dries. Excellent for detailed trim and cabinets.

Behr Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel

A more affordable water-based alkyd option available at Home Depot. Good hardness and leveling at a lower price point than Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore. A solid choice for baseboards and door casings.

The Secret to Brush-Mark-Free Trim

The biggest challenge with trim paint is brush marks. Two things eliminate them: using a water-based alkyd formula (which levels out as it dries) and adding Floetrol to extend the open time. Apply thin coats, don't overwork the paint, and let each coat level out before touching it again.

The best trim paint is a water-based alkyd in semi-gloss — Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane or Benjamin Moore Advance are the top choices. Add Floetrol, apply thin coats, and sand lightly between coats for trim that looks like it was sprayed.