When it comes to painting, it's not just about having a brush and some paint. There are many other tools and supplies that you need to purchase if you want to tackle the job on your own. In our previous article, we discussed the steps involved in preparing for a painting project and how to go about it. Today, we'll take a look at the different tools you'll need, what they're used for. Unless you're planning to become a professional painter, you may find that it's not worth it to invest in a lot of new equipment for a project that you only do every few years. In these cases, its best to hire a professional!
Thorough preparation.
Before we even pick up a brush, there's a lot of prep work that goes into painting a room. This is where various covering materials come in handy, as they make it easier to clean up after painting and protect our furniture and flooring from staining. There are several types of tarpaulins and films to choose from, which mainly differ in thickness.
You can also use a heavier covering fleece for added protection, especially in areas that are prone to damage such as door sills or areas of the floor. However, keep in mind that this type of material can be more expensive. In addition to covering materials, you'll also need classic painter's paper tape. This will not only hold all the covering materials in place but will also protect outlets and radiator pipes.
For cutting and handling covering materials, a pair of ordinary scissors will work fine. However, if you want a higher-quality tool, you might consider investing in a plasterboard knife, which can be especially helpful when working with thicker materials such as covering fleece.
One final tip: when covering windows, don't forget to protect the window panes as well. You can use the same types of covering sheets mentioned above or try using cardboard or paper. This way, you can be sure that you won't find even the smallest splash of paint on your windows after the job is done, ruining the view.
Get rid of the old paint!
After you've made sure that everything that might get dirty during the painting process is covered, it's time to tackle the walls themselves. But before we start applying paint, we need to make sure that it will adhere properly to the walls. This involves scraping the walls to remove any imperfections, cleaning up scuff marks, unevenness, and priming. These steps will ensure that the paint goes on smoothly and lasts longer on your walls.
What should you do with uneven surfaces?
To scrape the walls, you'll need a large paint roller with a long handle (either telescopic or regular). This will also come in handy when it's time to paint. You can test if your walls need to be scraped by running a wet roller over them - if the paint starts to peel off, it's time to scrape. You can also use the roller to wet the substrate before scraping. For this, you'll need a paint scraper, which shouldn't cost more than a few pounds. After scraping, you'll need to wash the plaster to remove any remaining bits. A classic short round brush should do the trick, and you don't necessarily need to invest in a mason's felt, which is often used by professionals.
After thoroughly scraping the walls, you'll need to fill in any unevenness that has accumulated over the years. The key tool for this job is a trowel, which you'll use to apply the smoothing compound of your choice. Trowels are a relatively low-cost investment.
As for what to use to fill holes, it depends on the size and extent of the damage on your walls. If the wear and tear are significant, you might consider using plaster. However, keep in mind that plaster can be difficult to work with if you're new to it. An alternative is to use an interior ready-made filler, which is easy to use and can repair even minor scuffs and dents. Another option is a powdered sealer, which is slightly cheaper but still requires careful application. Alternatively, you can try acrylic putty, which is easy to apply and comes in smaller packages that make it more affordable compared to plaster or powdered putty.
Last but definitely not least - priming!
After making any necessary adjustments to the walls, you'll end up with a mixture of materials that need to be unified. This is where a primer comes in handy. Not only does it help the paint to cover evenly, but it also increases the adhesion of other coatings. Additionally, priming is a great preventative measure against mold, especially in rooms that are more prone to humidity.
In addition to the primer, you'll need a paint roller and a brush. You should already have these from the previous steps. You'll also need additional brushes for applying the primer, which you can then use for the actual painting. Consider purchasing a smaller brush for finer details and a corner brush for hard-to-reach areas.
Let the painting begin!
We've already discussed in detail when to use a brush and when to use a roller in our previous article about common painting mistakes. The most important lesson is that you need both. We recommend getting a set of paintbrushes and rollers that includes a paint tray and a squeegee to ensure that the paint is spread evenly on the walls. You might also want to consider a painting easel unless you have a roller with a long handle.
As for choosing the paint itself, it depends on your preferences and the shade you have in mind. It's usually a good idea to consult with experts at a specialist shop, as there are many different types of paint with varying compositions and properties that can be confusing for non-experts. The experts will be able to help you choose high-quality paints with good coverage.
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