Painting Tools
Good Tools Make a Big Difference

Purchasing professional quality painting tools is one of the most important investments you will make as you participate in more painting projects. Professional quality tools will save time and considerable effort when compared to cheaper alternatives.

With the right set of tools it is possible to reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to finish your house painting project. Good tools help guarantee great results. Using inferior and cheap painting tools will provide endless hours of frustration. Plus, they will need replacing soon after they are used. If cared for properly, quality tools will last a lifetime.

Tools needed for house painting can be separated into a couple of categories;

(1) preparation and (2) application. You may already have some of the painting tools needed and some will need to be purchased.

A basic painters tool kit consist of hand tools, screw drivers and pliers, a 5-way or 11-in-1 multipurpose tool, putty knifes, both stiff and flexible, a couple of spackle knifes, drop cloths, brushes and a roller set-up. The amount of tools you need depends on your project. The more the better, I'm a big fan of tools. It’s better to work smarter than work harder.

Painting Tools Used for Surface Preparation

Most often preparing a surface for priming and painting is more work than the painting itself. Sometimes it can be 75% of the work. Having access to a variety of tools will speed up the process and produce a better paint job. Plus you won't have to work as hard.

Pressure Washer

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Pressure washer, a very useful painting tool to own or rent. Often used for washing the dust and spider webs off a house prior to the preparation and finish painting. Can also remove some loose and peeling paint, lessening the need for scraping and sanding. A great piece of equipment for preparing a wood deck.

Check out these pages for instructions on using a pressure washer, Pressure Washing a Homes Exterior and Deck Power Washing.

Paint Scraper

Choosing a good paint scraping tool will easily pay for itself. A paint scraping blade needs to perform many tasks quickly and comfortably. Removing loose paint, as well as other old materials, is a basic painting task. Plus scraping paint is an important first step in the preparation process.

Power Sanders

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After scraping off loose paint the use of power sanders is highly recommended. Often sanding previously painted surfaces can identify and remove additional loose and peeling paint. Plus the finished look will be much better when compared to scraping alone.

Power sanders can be used on new and old wood surfaces as well as sanding stained wood decks prior to refinishing.

Dropcloths

Drop cloths, there will be messes, cover your floors properly. This item is often overlooked by homeowners and professional painters. Old sheets and light weight plastic won't work. Good drop cloths will easily pay for themselves by protecting expensive floors and contributing to a safer working environment.

Masking Machine

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Check out Masking Techniques for more information on the use of a masking machine.

Caulking Gun

Caulking gun, the best is a professional drip-less model. This is a very inexpensive painting tool but an important one. After using a cheap caulking gun for a full day you will appreciate the comfort and convenience that a few more dollars will buy.

Extension and Step Ladders

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Ladders are absolutely necessary. It seems imposable to accomplish anything without one. Ladders are inherently dangerous, choosing a heavy duty model will provide better stability and more safety.

Another way to improve safety is with ladder levelers and stabilizers. These optional ladder accessories will add to the overall cost of a ladder but will drastically improve the stability and usability of extension ladders. Whether your needs are 2 feet or 20 feet choose the right ladder for your needs.

Painting Tools Used for Paint Application

The application of a protective coating is what most people think of when painting. This can be accomplished through the use of hand tools, like a brush, or by using a mechanical device, like a paint sprayer or powder roller. Which type of method you choose depends on the type of finish being applied, the desired results, the type of surface and your budget.

— Manual Painting Tools —

Paint Brushes

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Brushes are the most basic of all painting tools. You will want at least 3 different sizes and possibly 2 different styles.

Quality varies and there are many different manufactures. Cheap painting tools won't last the job; good brushes will perform for a very long time and be comfortable to use.

Paint Roller Covers

A better way to paint large areas is with a paint roller. One primary part of this system is the roller cover. Cheep covers are difficult to use and usually not worth considering. Quality roller covers will easily last beyond a single use and spread more paint faster with the least amount of effort. Choose the correct size, type and pile thickness for the most pleasing results.

Paint Roller Frames

The roller frame is another part of a paint roller system. This item is available in different sizes, ranging from 3 inches to 16 inches. A professional roller frame will save you many hours of hard work and produce better results.

Roller Poles

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The final piece of a paint rolling system is a roller pole. A good roller pole is positive locking and comfortable to use. Much better than using a threaded broom stick. Many styles are available in different lengths; definitely buy the best you can afford.

Professional Paint Roller Set-up

Now that you have a complete roller set-up you need something to put the paint into. A paint roller pan works fine for small projects where only a small amount of paint is needed but for rolling an entire room or other large areas use a 5 gallon paint bucket with roller grid.

— Powered Painting Tools —

Airless Sprayer

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Airless paint sprayers are a time saver. An airless sprayer can apply more paint faster than any other method. The quality of sprayers on the market varies considerably. All low end airless sprayers aren't worth the cheap price, professional quality painting tools are more expensive but worth every penny. Along with purchasing or renting a quality sprayer you will need to choose the correct spray tip for the coating being applied.

• Using an Airless Sprayer - Details about the set-up of an airless sprayer.
• Proper Airless Spraying Method - Info about developing your own spraying method.
• Cleaning an Airless Sprayer - Cleaning and storage info.

HVLP Sprayer

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HVLP paint sprayers provide a super fine finish and better control than an airless. Although the control is better than an airless the output is much lower, limiting its use. Best used on doors or cabinets and other items requiring control instead of maximum coverage. HVLP paint sprayers are not suited for spraying large areas. Whether spraying cabinets or putting the final touches on a piece of furniture an hvlp sprayer will provide the results you desire.

Power Roller

Power Rollers are sold as stand alone units ready to be used as is or an accessory that can be purchased and attached to an airless sprayer. The stand alone power rollers sold through home improvement outlets are weak machines that are often more frustrating to use than helpful. The power roller accessories designed for professional use can be cumbersome but will apply a lot of paint faster and produce better results.

All of these painting tools and more will save you a lot of time and additional effort. Also many are suitable for interior or exterior projects. Choose top quality painting tools, combine this with knowledge and you are half way to a beautiful home you can be proud of.

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