Some may carry tools in totes. Some may carry tools in bags. We don’t care about the outside. It is what’s on the inside that counts ;). Let’s take a peek inside and learn about some essential painting tools
A painter needs many tools but the specific tools required varies from one project to another, and sometimes from interior to exterior. Pressure washing an interior would be quite a sight to behold, but is unnecessary and would most likely require an insurance claim. Smaller, more basic tools are the highlight of this blog but I am working on another one to cover larger painting equipment as well. I will link that here soon!
1. Hammer and Nail Punch
One of the first things a painter will pull out of their tool bag is a hammer to pull out nails so they can have a smooth surface to paint on. A nail punch is sometimes needed for nails in trim which are protruding and need carefully tapped in.
2. Electrician Screwdriver
The absolute quickest way to remove all those outlet covers and light fixtures and all those other things with screws that need to come down before painting. If you have never used these before; prepare to be amazed. Regular old-fashioned screwdrivers will also suffice, however since many houses also have fixtures with all sorts of miscellaneous shaped screws or bolts, it is good to have a multi-bit screwdriver with various attachments. If you must be basic-be basic with your hammer instead. 😉
3. 5 in 1 Tool
This tool can also be used for pulling nails and hammering a nail punch; but a good philosophy to have with your paint tools is “Two is One and One is None”. It is Always good to have a backup option and the 5 in 1 tool will have your back! This tool is also great for scraping rough or raised spots out of drywall and for scraping peeling paint. Its other uses are for opening paint cans and cleaning excess paint from the roller.
4. Spackle and Putty Knife
Once you’ve used your other tools to get all the obstacles out of the way, it would be a great idea to smooth out all those nail holes and other small imperfections. Use a putty knife to smooth spackle into these spaces, taking care to not apply more than necessary to level out the hole. Mountains and Craters are both spectacular sights…but not when they’re on your wall texture…
5. Sanding Sponge or Sandpaper
Surfaces like doors and trim really need to have the shine buffed off before painting. A Scotch Pad is another option you can use for lightly scuffing a surface. It is also a good idea to smooth over areas you may have added spackle or patched drywall.
6. Surface Cleaner
After sanding there will be extra dust on the surfaces aside from the normal dust. It is essential to now clean these surfaces before painting. Unless a surface is particularly grimy; you can just use warm water and add a mild soap if necessary. Using a floor mop is an easy way to quickly reach the whole wall. For tougher spots like the crayon masterpiece on the living room wall or the kitchen wall behind the stove; a little TSP followed by a quick rinse is a good idea! Pay extra attention to window trim and door trim as these areas collect significant amounts of dust (as I am sure you noticed while sanding). Wipe them down good because you will need to mask these off later in order to paint. You will need them to be clean if you want your tape to stick. Which you do. Trust me.
7. Caulking Gun
You also need the caulk to go with this ;). Make sure you use a paint-able caulk! Caulk along unsightly seams where trim meets the wall and remember to smooth out your caulking bead with your finger or a rag as you go. This will prevent these areas from becoming even more unsightly. 😉
8. Masker and Tape
We love to use these masking tools. You can load them up with paper or plastic to quickly mask off any areas that need protected. Also note that you should sweep or vacuum along the floor trim in order for your painters tape to adhere properly.
9. Canvas Drop Cloths
If you leave any speck of floor showing; paint will land on it. Painter’s Law 😉
10. Paintbrush
Use a paintbrush for cut in along where the wall meets the ceiling, the floor trim, the window trim, the door trim, and around any masked off fixtures etc. The most common brush size for this is 2.5 or 3 inches, however once you’ve got that down, a 4 inch brush can really increase your speed because it holds more paint but is still small enough to be precise with along these sorts of edges. Use whichever size you can be precise and efficient with!
11. Paint Roller
Use these systematically across the wall and make sure to back-roll for even coverage! These fluffy ones are obviously our favorites for most jobs! On larger jobs we will switch to the 18 inch rollers.
12. Extension Pole
An extension pole is a helpful tool for quickly being able to roll out a wall, especially so if the wall is a little on the tall side. You can also steal your wife’s broom handle and it will serve this purpose well…until you forget to return it to her and your kitchen does not get swept for 8 days….
13. Paint Tray
For smaller jobs use an average sized tray. For larger jobs, we love to use these 18 inch monstrosities. Some painters also like to use plastic liners in their paint trays for easy color switches and quicker clean-up.
14. Wire Brush
A very helpful tool for cleaning out your paintbrushes and getting any bits of dried paint off of them.
15. Ladder
If you have made it this far without a ladder, congratulations on being a descendant of Goliath! The rest of us will likely need a ladder at some point. We recommend these ones as they are practical for both indoor and outdoor use.
Ok, Ok… not all of these tools actually fit “inside” the toolbox, but who doesn’t love a good cliche? Don’t answer that… Hopefully we have answered any questions you may or may not have had about a painter’s tools! And just because what’s on the outside matters a tiny bit….Here is where you can find our favorite tool box 😉
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-PRO-Tool-Storage-System-3-Piece-RIDGIDPRO3PCTSS/315289493