Mix a solution of trisodium phosphate tsp with water in a bucket according to product instructions.
How to protect floor when painting baseboards.
Painting baseboard over a tile floor is simpler than painting over carpeting just be sure to completely mask a few inches of tile to avoid getting paint on the floor.
It often comes in a roll so you can unroll it and tape sheets together to cover your floor.
Plastic or canvas materials are often slippery on these floors but rosin paper is easy to walk on.
If the baseboards don t need masking simply tape the edges of the plastic to the floor.
I used a fairly flat tea spoon and rubbed not too rough or hard the blue tape on the floor where the seams meet.
Spread a drop cloth over the floor to protect the flooring.
Wipe down the baseboards with the solution and a sponge.
If you need to paint baseboard next to a wall to wall carpet you could try to peel that carpet back as you brush along the edge of the molding and hope you don t get any paint on it but there s a better way.
If you need to mask baseboards apply a masking film and tape the edge to the plastic sheets that are on the floor.
Protecting the floor should always be one of the first steps you take when prepping a room for painting.
Instead of painting on poly acrylic i went with the suggestion of burnishing.
Once you start you can see how it really bonds the tape to the floor.
Be sure to clean the top of the baseboards in particular as dust naturally collects on horizontal surfaces.
Al lemke from hopewell junction n y has figured out a way to get masking tape between the baseboard and the carpet when he preps a.