23 Essential painting tools for painters and DIYers

Do you know that painting walls and houses is a great way to earn extra income? Paint can see a lot of wear and tear. This is why people constantly need a freshly painted bedroom, office, or piece of furniture! 

The right painting tools and equipment are essential to doing a good job. With a complete set of painting tools, your customers will see you’re serious about your work. Your painting supplies can also make the job much easier. 

Here’s a handy guide to painting tools you need to paint like a pro. 

List of painting tools for paint preparation

1. Metal paint scraper

A paint scraper is for removing paint from a surface using a scraping motion. You’ll need this tool to make sure the surface you’ll be painting, such as walls, have the extra layers of paint removed.

2. Sponge, soap, and water 

You’ll need to give the surface a thorough washing before painting. Dust, dirt, or cobwebs can prevent you from achieving that perfect finish. Mix soap and warm water in a bucket and use the sponge to scrub walls and other surfaces clean. 

3. Spackle or caulk 

You’ll need these to fill in gaps, nail holes, bumps, and cracks on surfaces you’re about to paint. 

4. Putty knife

You can use this trusty tool with the spackle or caulk. A putty knife is one of the most useful painting tools you can have. Its uses include applying filler materials into cracks, scraping paint, and pressing painter’s tape to the edge of a baseboard for a clean paint edge.  

5. Sanding sponge or sandpaper 

Sanding walls and other surfaces is another helpful step before painting. A sanding sponge or sandpaper can help remove imperfections so the paint can more easily stick to the surface and have a smooth finish. 

6. Fiberglass mesh tape 

This is another material used to cover holes and cracks on drywall and plasterboard. 

7. Painter’s tape 

Painter’s tape is useful for covering sockets, switches, doorknobs, and other surfaces you don’t want to get paint on. 

8. Drop cloths 

You’ll need these to cover floors or any furniture you don’t want to splatter with paint. If you can’t find a canvas drop cloth, a plastic drop sheet can also do the job.  

Supplies needed to paint a room

9. Paint primer

Primer looks similar to regular paint and is usually white in color. Applying primer before painting ensures you get a smooth and uniform finish. 

Other benefits of primer include: 

• Adds a layer of protection to the material you’re painting

• Conceals stains and repairs

• Neutralizes the color of the material to allow the paint to look more vibrant 

• Functions as a glue that lets the paint more easily stick to the surface

10. Paint 

Of course, we can’t forget the paint! There are a lot of paints to choose from, so make sure to talk to your client first to know the right type and color. 

According to MasterClass, the different types of wall paint and finishes include: 

• Matte 

• Eggshell 

• Semi-gloss  

• High-gloss  

• Satin 

11. Paint brushes 

Angled paint brushes and flat paint brushes are most commonly used for painting jobs. Consider investing in good-quality brushes since you’ll be using them for long periods. 

Here are some paint brush types you can choose from: 

• Natural bristles 

• Artificial bristles 

• Foam brushes

You might also like: How to paint a garden fence

12. Paint roller 

Here’s another item to add to your list of materials needed to paint a house! Paint rollers are mostly used for walls and other large surfaces.  

Rollers come in many forms: 

• Manual rollers 

• Pad rollers 

• Textured rollers 

• Power rollers 

13. Roller extension pole 

A paint roller extension pole lets you paint corners and hard-to-reach areas such as ceilings. 

Also read: How to paint a ceiling

14. Paint edger 

Achieve clean, straight edges even if you’re a beginner painter. Paint edgers let you easily ‘cut in’ paint (i.e., paint tight and hard-to-reach areas of a room). This tool saves you the trouble of taping along surfaces like trim, ceilings, window frames, and around smoke detectors. There are two types of paint edgers: pad-style and roller-type. 

15. Paint sprayer 

This is another alternative to a paint brush or roller. With paint sprayers, you can easily get the job done by simply pulling the trigger of the spray nozzle. Sprayers are ideal because you can quickly cover bumps and cracks with paint. 

16. Roller tray or paint tray 

These tools make it easier to mix or hold paint and are usually paired with a paint roller. 

17. Paint bucket 

A large paint bucket is a great option in case you need something bigger than a paint tray. Buckets can also function as containers for mixing paint to get the right color your client is looking for. 

18. Ladder 

A wide variety of ladders is available on the market: You have stepladders, platform ladders, and extension ladders. No matter what ladder you end up buying, make sure it’s stable enough for your use and is suitable for the type of painting work you’ll be doing.

19. Rags 

Don’t forget to clean up after you finish your painting project. Rags are always useful for scrubbing paint splatters. 

20. Paint color samples 

This will help you and your customer choose the right paint finish and color. Paint swatches usually come in the form of color cards or small containers of sample paints you can buy from stores. 

21. Paint can opener

A good paint can opener has a strong handle and a bottle opener end. 

22. Paint brush cleaner 

You can use soap and water to clean your brushes, but it’s also good to invest in products specially designed for cleaning paint brushes and making them seem as good as new again. 

23. Paint comb 

This will help you clean your brush faster. Paint combs help open up a brush’s bristles and loosen remaining or dried-up paint. 

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