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Asked on Feb 22, 2023
How to paint around can lights?
by
ShoshanaNF
+11
Hi, we are in the process of painting our kitchen and living area and we have quite a few can lights that I do not want to paint over. What is the best way to prep and paint around these?
You should be able to pull the trim ring down a little. You might have to score the paint around it to get it to move. Sometimes you can release the trim ring by squeezing together the two wire clips holding it to the can. Clean them while you are up there. You can always paint it later if you want.
I would highly recommend Frog Tape brand of painter's tape. Put in place and then slightly dampen with a cloth pressing lightly. This will form a seal and then paint using a cut in brush. My recommendation is the Wooster Shortcut brush. It's about $7 at Home Depot. Using it, I have often been able to cut in without even taping.
Besides painter's tape I really think those little lights should pop out. I have a couple of those in our place too and they just popped out and "hung" there to make it much easier to wrap up in plastic and paint around.
Do you not want the trim of the light bulb painted or trying to keep paint off of the entire thing? Use frog tape if you don't want any of it (the metal part) painted or if you are painting the cover the same as the ceiling to blend in just remove the bulb, one at a time so you still have light. If you are painting the ceiling white again, do paint the metal ring to make it match the fresh paint of the ceiling or it will really show next to new paint.
cover the lights and then paint around them
If they don't pull down, use painter tape to cover them.
Cut some circles out of contact paper stick it over them.
If you cannot take the light trim down a bit, use Painters tape. I like the blue suff. Painters tape comes in different types such the pruple is for wallpaper, etc. Home Depot and Lowes sells this, do not use the off brand it never seems to work.
Cover them with paper and seal with masking tape.
Ours pull away from the ceiling so you can paint under them. If you are painting the actual cans themselves take out the lightbulbs.
Thank you for the advice everyone
Since you have so many, I’d get a great sash brush and carefully cut in the paint around them. Make sure the brush isn’t super thick; you want a fine taper at the edge.
See if you can locate the springs that are holding them in place and unhook them. They should let them slide down and the can will be help by the attached springs. Paint with a sash brush.
I usually just use painter's tape. That gives me a much better finish then winging it and is easier then taking the ring off first. Just don't be in a hurry.
Hi Shoshana, hope this helps you out. Use frog tape to and craft paper or newspaper to protect your pot lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhsq1_M1vSc