Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Dining Room Project: The Tools

When visiting the hardware store you will find many different kinds of rollers, brushes, and painting supplies. Do you really need all this stuff? Probably.

I don't know what a professional painter would say, but I have done enough painting to arrive at some conclusions. First, you will want to tape and cover anything you don't want paint to go on. Painting is easy, preparation is where the work is. That means removing outlet covers, using a lot of painter's tape, and a bunch of .7 mil plastic sheets.

I cover the floor with a 12x4 canvas paint cover. I love these and have two. I move them around as needed to protect the floor. I like these because they are durable and reusable.

Get paint rollers with the correct ply (not too bushy). When you use them, roll in overlapping "V's". I never clean paint rollers because they are cheap and disposable. 

My paint tray uses a liner. I hate cleaning the paint trays and for $1, I don't have to. I just throw the liner away.



I have painted rooms with and without a square edger and an edger can take a 30 minute job and turn it into a 5 minute job. There are corner edgers that are very useful too. 

I use brushes too. Like rollers, I always throw the brushes away, so, I usually get the cheapest brushes I can find. But with cheap brushes, the bristles come out and you'll spend half your time picking bristles out of your paint job. Depending on what I am doing and how important it is, I may spend a couple of dollars for a brush I will throw away.

Next tip? Paint tends to pool around the edge of the paint can. Use a hammer and nail to make several holes to the paint will drain back into the can.


Make sure you get all the tools before starting the job and you'll have a great experience.


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