Painting Tools Buying Guide

A new paint job is one of the quickest ways to make a house look bright and fresh. While a worn out paint job can leave a room looking shabby, it often takes nothing more than a fresh coat of paint to make a room look as good as new. Similarly, some furniture can be given new life by simply applying new paint to the surface.

One of the good things about applying a fresh coat of paint in any home is that it is a good do-it-yourself project. Though it can be physically demanding work, it is a job that most home owners can do on their own, without having to call in the professionals. Doing the job yourself can save a lot of money, and it can be a good project for the whole family to do together. All that is needed is the right materials, a little time, and the determination to get the job done.

The materials needed for a paint job around the house are easily available. There are many types and colors of paint from which to choose, so it is important to first determine what sort of paint is needed. In addition, the buyer will need to purchase the rest of the necessary tools for the paint project, including paint trays, drop cloths, paint brushes, and rollers.

Removing the Old Paint

In many cases, it is necessary to remove the existing paint, rather than simply applying a new coat over it. A hand scraper is the simplest tool for this job. For a more elaborate set of tools, a home owner might choose to use a surface preparation kit, which includes a thinner or solvent, primer, brushes, and all of the other products needed to prepare the surface to be painted. If a wall has previously been covered with wallpaper, then a wallpaper shaver will be needed to prepare the surface for the new paint job. If there are nail holes or other blemishes in the surface to be painted, a patching tool and a bit of plaster will be needed to fill in the gaps, creating a smooth surface to be painted.

When painting a piece of furniture, it is often necessary to sand the surface in order to remove all of the old paint. This will make for a smoother surface when the new paint is applied, eliminating gaps and streaks. Porter-Cable manufactures a power paint remover, which will help to do a very thorough job of paint removal.

Choosing the Right Paint

Paint comes in many colors and many qualities. Homeowners can choose between glossy and matte surfaces, washable surfaces, antibacterial paints, and many other features that have been added to a simple can of paint over the years. Antibacterial and washable paints cost a bit more, but the advantage is that they are much more lasting. A good washable paint can keep the fresh look of a brand new paint job for many years. It is easily washable, which is especially good for rooms where there is a lot of traffic. Antibacterial paints are an excellent choice for areas where mold is a problem.

Paint Brushes, Rollers, and Spray Guns

There are many choices of how to apply the paint to the surface. Each method is appropriate for a different job. For small areas, a paint brush or sponge is the best tool to use. The smaller surface of the tool allows you paint those hard to reach places.

For larger surfaces, the painter can choose between spray guns and rollers. Rollers will apply a smooth coat of paint with minimal mess, but using a roller can be hard work, especially for those not used to physical labor. Spray guns are made to minimize the amount of physical exertion required of the painter, but they might cause more of a mess, particularly if not handled properly. The other drawback to spray guns is that they can result in a wastage of paint from the excess that is blown off from the gun. Rollers will help to avoid this drawback.

When using a spray gun for the first time, it is important to read and follow the instructions carefully. Pay special attention to the distance the painter should stand from the wall. Standing too close will result in an uneven paint job, but standing too far will result in a mess on the floors. When using a paint gun, it is especially important to cover floors, windows, doors, and any other surface that needs to be protected from the excess paint.

Reaching the High Spots

When painting high spots, such as ceilings, it can be difficult to reach the surfaces that need to be painted. Climbing up on a ladder is one way to manage the project, but it can be tedious to climb up, paint, and then climb back down to move the ladder to the next area to be painted. Many painters prefer extensions to be attached to their rollers, allowing them to reach those high spots without constantly moving a ladder about. Such extensions can include simple poles similar to a broom handle, or they can come in more elaborate telescoping models. These telescoping models allow the length of the pole to be adjusted so that the handle can be extended when needed, and kept at a more manageable length otherwise.

Other Hard to Reach Crevices

When considering a paint job, it is important not just to think of the large surfaces that need painting, but also the small hard-to-reach crevices. Paint brushes, sponges, and rollers designed especially for these spaces are good to have around when the job reaches this stage. For painting furniture, such tools are a must.

An angled brush is often useful for window frames or furniture that has ridges. The angles allow the paint to be applied evenly to these creviced areas. Mini rollers can be useful for small corners, applying a smooth coat to a small surface area.

Keeping the Area Clean

When setting out to begin a new paint project, one of the primary concerns has to be keeping the other surfaces clean of dripped paint. If the ceiling is one of the surfaces to be painted, this can be especially tricky. Using a good drop sheet is the best way to keep everything clean. Professional painters use large canvas sheets. However, this can get rather costly. Many home owners who see their paint project as a one-time job prefer to use large disposable plastic drop sheets. They can be very cheap, selling for less than $1 per piece. They are for only a single use, though, so if the intent is to paint more than once, these disposable drop sheets will not be very ideal.

If the paint job only includes the walls, it is easier to protect the other surfaces. A stack of old newspapers and several rolls of masking tape will be sufficient. The masking tape should be applied evenly around the skirting to protect it from dripped paint. The newspaper should be laid around the edges of the wall on the floor, and held in place by the masking tape. If painting furniture, then placing a layer of old newspapers underneath the work space is sufficient. Be careful not to let the newspaper touch any surfaces with wet paint, or it will stick to the drying surface.

While painting, it is important to keep several damp cloths handy. This will be useful for those times when dripping paint splatters onto a surface where it is not wanted. Such accidents are inevitable, so it is best to be prepared. A bottle of paint thinner is likewise a good thing to keep around in order to clear up any accidents.

Removing the Old Paint

Items for preparing the surface to be painted can come with a wide range of prices. Hyde Tools sells wallpaper remover blades for less than $3, and a variety of hand held scrapers for prices ranging between $1 and $7. Their gap repair tool for patching nail holes and other gaps in walls and ceilings sells for just over $10. National Paint's surface preparation kit sells for prices hovering around $50. Porter-Cable sells a power paint remover for prices reaching over $250.

The Right Paint

Prices for paint can vary a great deal, depending on the quality of the paint. The cost of paint can be affected by the fluctuation of oil prices, and so it is always wise to check for the latest prices.

There are several sorts of specialty paints available. For instance, National Paint manufcatures special paints for pools, and these sell for prices ranging from $35 to $250. As a rule of thumb, white wash is the least expensive type of paint. The more specialized a paint is, the more expensive it becomes. Checking across the range is always a good idea.

Paint Brushes, Rollers, and Spray Guns

Paint brushes come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. Prices can range from around $5 to over $20 for a single brush. Price partly depends on the size of the brush, but is also affected by the materials used in its construction. The buyer should be aware that some of the cheaper brushes are not as sturdy as their more expensive counterparts, and that the bristles can sometimes fall out easily. This creates a messy paint job, and the painter should be aware of this potential problem when buying a cheap paint brush. Spending a few extra dollars can make the paint job go much more smoothly.

Purdy Corporation sells its paint roller starter kit for just over $20. This kit includes a pair of rollers and a handle. The rollers can be changed when they are worn out, or when a different size is desired. Replacement rollers can sell for prices below $5. Some of the larger replacement rollers will cost between $5 and $10. Wooster Brush Company's roller and paint tray set sells for just over $6. Power rollers sell for prices ranging from $20 to $120.

Wagner Spray Tech manufactures several sorts of spray guns. Prices for their spray guns range from $150 to $180. Sharpe has several models selling for prices between $130 and $150. Campbell Hausfield's stainer spray gun sells for around $60. Graco's large interior spray gun sells for just under $700.

Hyde Tools
National Paint
Purdy Corporation
Wagner Spray Tech
Sharpe
Campbell Hausfield
Graco
Porter-Cable
Linzer
Shur-Line
Wooster Brush Company