Abstract: The present invention provides a guard that may be attached to molding or trim during painting operations to prevent paint from dripping or splashing from a surface to be painted one color onto a surface to be painted a different color or which will remain unpainted. In its primary embodiment, the present invention provides an elongated strip of material, preferably plastic, having a cross-sectional shape consisting of a terminal first end which extends around in a generally U-shaped hook pattern, a relatively straight central section integrally extending from the non-terminal end of the hook section, and a curved section that extends along a predetermined radius and terminates with a relatively straight portion that extends essentially perpendicularly to the central section.