Five Essential Painting Tools
If you have spent an afternoon in a paint store, the salesman probably has you convinced that if you want to paint a room the correct way you need a slew of painting tools and gadgets. The truth of the matter is, you can paint a room using only a few essential painting tools.
Which Painting Tools Do Your Really Need?
If you are planning to paint an interior room in your house, you only need a few things. Don't listen to paint store sales crews that tell you that you need special trim brushes or gadgets. Disbelieve the clerk that tells you it is impossible to paint without a sprayer and ignore the paint store manager that tries to sell you expensive lids and pouring gadgets. These painting tools just aren't necessary and can be rather costly.
If you are planning to paint a room the only painting tools you absolutely should have are a high quality brush or roller, a sturdy ladder, a plastic liner or paint tray, blue painter's tape, and a drop cloth.
It is important to spend your paint budget wisely. Part of doing so means buying a high quality painting brush. A good brush may cost a little more, but if you take care of it and clean it well after each use it can last you for years. Choosing to buy a lesser priced brush can make the difference between a good paint job and a terrible one. Cheap brushes often shed their hairs, leaving them imbedded in the drying paint or they leave stroke marks on your wall.
It is foolish and unsafe to try and paint the high sections of your trim, walls, or ceiling using a chair or unstable ladder. Before you begin any paint job, make sure you have a sturdy step ladder. It is best to buy one that includes a work tray to hold your paint. This tray will save you time and man power when it comes to reloading your brush.
While it is possible to paint by simply dipping your brush in the can, it is much better to pour the paint out into a paint tray or liner. If you don't want to invest in a tray, you can buy a tray liner for under a dollar and it works just as well as an actual liner. If you are painting with a roller a tray or liner is a must.
Blue painters tape is the only tape to use when trying to trim a room. Masking tape often peels off or sticks where you don't want it too. Blue painter's tape is made to stay put while you paint yet remove easily when you are finished. It is worth the cost.
A drop cloth will protect your floors and your furniture. You can buy them, but you can also use things that you have around the house, such as an old sheet, garbage bags, or even news paper.
