2torial #0494: Learn2 Paint a Room (Continued) Paint the second coat The first coat should be left alone for a few hours--it should be dry to the touch. Then, using your final color, repeat the steps above for the corners, walls and ceiling.   Protect the trim. If you used a primer on your unmasked trim during the first coat, now's the time to protect it with tape, as outlined in Step 1. Be careful not to paint the trim again with anything but your chosen trim paint.   Beware of shortcuts. If you're painting white paint onto a white wall and want a "quickie" job, you might leave out the corner painting when doing the second coat. Just be aware that it won't look as good (especially in the daylight) as a properly done second coat.   A third coat, anyone? Now you decide if a third coat is necesary. Wait until the second coat is dry to the touch, and turn on all the lights that you can, as the daylight is probably fading by now. Take a good look at the job so far: assess the coverage and the blending. Is the primer showing through anywhere? Are there areas of lighter and heavier coverage? If you used good-quality paint, everything's probably fine and you can go on to the trim. If you used cheaper paint, another coat might be necessary. Curse as little as possible, wait for the second coat to dry fully, and get to it.Step 7