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Good quality tools and supplies will make the job on hand much easier. Quality tools also will last a longer time and, with proper care and cleaning, could last for many years.
- Getting the room ready for painting.
- Surface preparation tools.
- Painting tools.
- Links to other helpful articles.
GETTING THE ROOM READY
Spend time to prepare the room for painting. Have a good look around and remove any obstacles that may slow you down when painting. Ideally, the room should be empty. If this is not possible move everything to the centre of the room and cover it with plastic sheets. You also may want to protect your flooring by using drop sheets. A short list of other things you will need and should do include:
- Screwdrivers to remove switch and receptacle (outlet) covers, mirrors, towel bars, cloth hooks, window treatments, door handles, etc. The more you remove the easier it is to paint.
- Hammer and nail. For very small rooms you may want to remove the entrance door. Believe me, it is easier to move around with the door removed, I've done that several times. You need the hammer and nail to remove the hinge pins. After you have removed the door put it where it is out of the way and place the pins back in the hinge part of the door so you will not lose them.
- Small step stool or step ladder. It should be small (easier to move around) but tall enough to reach the ceiling.
- Duster to remove any dust accumulated on top of doors and top of trim around windows and doors.
- Waste basket (for small rooms) or garbage can for larger rooms.
SURFACE PREPARATION TOOLS
- Claw hammer, pair of pliers to remove nails and plugs used for screwing items to the wall. If the plug won't budge insert a screw about 1/4" into the plug and use the claw hammer or pair of pliers to remove both, the screw and plug.
- Paint scraper or putty knife: I usually use a 1 1/2" (38 mm) wide putty knife with a ridged blade to remove any loose material from cracks, nail, screw and picture hanger holes.
- Sandpaper works well to remove adhesive tape residue and poster glue.
- Putty knife (3" or 75 mm), spackle or drywall joint compound for filling in cracks and nail holes. I get the best results using a 3" flexible putty knife. Many painters suggest to use spackling compound because it is fast drying and doesn't shrink. I use drywall joint compound simply because I always have it in the house and it is a lot cheaper than spackling compound. However, the stuff shrinks and requires two applications and sanding.
- Shop vacuum. If there is a lot of dust from sanding compound you may want to use a shop vacuum instead of your regular vacuum cleaner.
- Sponges or a damp cloth to give the walls a thorough cleaning.
- Long handled duster to remove any cobwebs from the ceiling. I know, you don't have cobwebs and you never see them when you walk into a room but once you are on the ladder they seem to be all over the place!
- Painter's green tape or frog tape. Once the room has been prepared as described above it is time for the final task before you can start painting; place tape on trims, baseboards, uncovered outlets and switches or any other surface that needs protection from paint stains. No taping is required If you have a steady hand and can "draw" the line freestyle which is called "cutting in".
PAINTING TOOLS
Paint brushes for cutting in windows, baseboards, along ceilings and inside corners. For cutting in I prefer a 1 1/2" (38 mm) brush.
For oil based paints use natural China bristle brushes.
For latex paints use nylon/polyester brushes
Paint rollers. For large areas like walls and ceilings I use the standard 9 1/2" (24 cm) roller. For smaller areas such as above doors or beside windows I use a 3" (7.6 mm) roller. I use this small roller also to smooth out the paint on inside corners after I have applied a generous coat of paint with the paint brush.
Roller types. The rougher the surface, the fluffier the roller cover.
Roller trays and roller tray liners. Disposable tray liners are good for quick cleanups.
LINKS TO OTHER HELPFUL ARTICLES
Oil or latex? How to test old paint. Advantages, disadvantages.
Buy the right brush or roller. Bristles, roller material, nap length.
Surface preparation. Wallpaper glue. Treating mildew.
Liquid sandpaper - deglossers. What it is. What it doesn't do.
Painting tips. Getting ready. Tools. Painting. Storing paint
Paint Tray Liners. Make your own. Do you really need one?
Clean-up time. Brushes, rollers, trays, solvents, paint disposal.
Lead in paint. Health warning. Remedial action. Government.
Lead. Sources of lead other than paint. Remedial actions. Health concerns. |
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