They make carpet shields for painting.......if you have any OLD Venetian blinds just slide them over the carpet and under the molding and paint away. Remove them once the paint is DRY. If you look here you can get about 18' of these Carpet Shields for around $4........they clean right off with water if you use a latex paint.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/dynamic-carpet-shields-3-foot-strips-6-pack-/1000152180
Many years ago I purchased my first outboard..........a bright and shinny Merc.
Then I got a real job and purchased a real outboard..........now I have a bright and shinny black boat anchor that nobody wants.
Merc is short for Many Efforts Repairing Crap.
You missed your opportunity to give them tree rats their first flying lesson by just starting up that outboard with the cowling off. After all there were in the "FLYWHEEL" were they not.......LOL
Well, the wife and I went perch fishing Monday on Erie and had a pretty good day. Came home with 25 LARGE perch, enough to feed us about 6 different meals. 😊