Abstract: A shield for protecting the nap, or pile, at the edges of carpets or the like while painting adjacent surfaces of adjoining walls. The shield is formed of a substantially planar isosceles trapezoidal guard and platform, and a substantially planar rectangular runner. The guard and runner support the platform above the upper surface of the carpet. The angles between the sides and major base of the guard and the angle between the guard and the platform are chosen so that the pile of the carpet does not, as the shield slides over the carpet, spring back into contact with adjacent painted wall surfaces. The guard, platform and runner are preferably made of a single sheet of planar material.