Any painter worth their brush will tell you that a painter is only as good as the materials they are working with. Aside from skills, the materials you use can make a difference. They can mean the difference between an effortless application and a messy job that takes hours to complete.
In this article, we shall give you a quick rundown of all the essential materials needed to paint your home. Some professional painters might have more specialized tools in their arsenal. But our list covers all the basic materials you need for a painting job and how to use them.
Paint Brushes and Rollers
Unless you are working on an abstract art project where you paint with your bare hands, you’ll need a set of paintbrushes for the task. For this, there are three popular kinds of brushes you can use.
- Angled brush – These are especially good for painting straight lines on the areas surrounding your doors, ceiling woodwork and windows. Unless you are doing stripes, painter’s tape usually isn’t necessary. The angled brush is quicker and much steadier. However, it is imperative that you get a quality brush, as it can mean all the difference.
- A roller – A roller is the most efficient way of covering a large wall (or any size wall for that matter). Because of their wide surface area, they can afford more reach in one fell swoop. It basically comes down to dipping the roller in paint and rolling it over the wall. For the best result, you want to go for the 3/8″ nap.
- A smaller craft brush – These are those short, bristled brushes you’d typically use for arts and crafts painting. These small brushes are quite effective for creating evenness on paint lines around your windows and door trim. You can also use them for light fixtures, hard to reach areas and doorknobs.
Painting Trays
While drawing paint directly from the paint can is entirely possible, it is ill-advised. Often, the paint will end up dripping along the side of the can, making it difficult to handle. If you are using a roller, a more convenient alternative is a painting tray.
Another option is, if you are working on smaller areas or using brushes, disposable plastic containers will suffice. The best part is that you can easily carry them with you up a ladder.
A Step Stool and Ladder
A step stool ladder combo is a must-have for any serious painter. Instead of dangerously balancing on stacked chairs, use a simple ladder. This item will help you access every corner of your house, so you leave no section untouched.
Plastic and Tarps
Painting can be an extremely messy venture. No matter how careful you are, a few drops are going to fall off the brush now and then. To protect your floors and furniture from splatters, you’ll need plastic garbage bags or tarps.
Tarps are especially good for floors since they better absorb the paint and aren’t as slippery. These two also go hand in hand with rags. Be sure to have some wet and dry rags nearby for any quick cleanups.
Tape
Just like plastic and tarps, you typically use blue painters' tape to protect areas from your new paint color. Using tape ensures you get a clean line and protects small areas like handles and lighting fixtures. Want to paint perfect lines? Follow these steps to achieve a great result.
1. Test the painter's tape on a small area. Ensure your tape adheres well and doesn't damage the underlying painting surface.
2. Apply your tape to a clean and dry surface to promote good adhesion.
3. Press down firmly on the edge of the tape to create a strong seal.
4. Smooth out any texture in the tape to prevent your coats of paint from seeping underneath.
5. For you to remove the tape cleanly and to result in perfect paint edges, do not allow the paint to dry completely. This includes not leaving your tape on your painting project overnight.
Contact us!
As you've seen, the decision-making process in painting doesn’t end with just choosing a shade of paint. Materials matter just as much, if not more. For commercial properties, you'll need bigger materials and fancier equipment. In which case, you will be better off delegating it to a professional painting company for a smooth paint job.
At Painter Bros, we have both the skills and expertise to get the job done. With our years of experience, we promise you'll get the perfect paint job you're looking for. Call Painter Bros at (844) 509-2313 for a free estimate in your service area.