An Overview of Basic Painting Supplies: What You Really Need for a DIY Job
- Alen Marshal
- May 30
- 3 min read
If you're gearing up for a DIY painting project, you might think all you need is a brush and a tin of paint. But successful painting—especially if you're aiming for a clean, professional finish—takes a bit more preparation and the right tools.
In our previous article, How to Prepare for Painting Rooms, we covered the prep work. Now let’s dive into the painting supplies themselves—what they’re for, how much they cost, and whether it’s worth investing if you're only painting every few years.
1. Covering Materials: Keep the Mess to a Minimum
Painting doesn’t begin with a brush—it starts with protection. Before you touch the walls, cover floors, windowsills, furniture, and anything else you don’t want speckled in paint.
Essential options include:
Plastic drop sheets or painter’s foil – Budget-friendly and come in different thicknesses.
Heavy-duty canvas or cloth – More durable, ideal for high-traffic areas or delicate surfaces like floorboards and thresholds. However, they can cost upwards of $100.
Painter’s masking tape – Perfect for sealing down edges and protecting fixtures like sockets, light switches, and radiator pipes.
For cutting your covering materials, basic scissors will do. But if you want cleaner, more precise cuts especially through thicker cloth a drywall knife is worth the extra few dollars. Tip: Don’t forget to cover window boards! Cardboard or spare drop sheets work well here.
2. Scraping Off Old Paint: Prep the Walls Properly
Once everything’s covered, it’s time to check whether the walls need scraping. This is essential if the old paint is flaking or peeling.
You’ll need:
Paint roller with a long or telescopic handle – For testing and wetting the surface.
Paint scraper – Inexpensive (around $2–3) and great for removing loose paint.
Short, round brush – Ideal for smoothing any rough spots after scraping and doubles as a paintbrush later.
To test your wall, dampen it with a roller. If the old paint starts lifting, it needs to go.
3. Filling Cracks and Holes: Smooth It Out
Most walls will have minor dings, dents, or cracks that need patching before painting.
What to use:
Putty knife – Essential for applying filler. Most cost under $20.
Interior filler options:
Ready-mixed filler – Convenient and beginner-friendly.
Powder filler – More affordable but trickier to mix.
Acrylic filler – Great for small repairs and comes in small, cost-effective tubes.
Plaster – Suitable for larger repairs but less beginner-friendly.
4. Primer: Don’t Skip It
Priming is a key step that many skip—but it makes a big difference. A good primer helps paint stick better, improves coverage, and seals patched areas for a consistent finish. It also helps prevent mould in damp rooms like bathrooms and laundries.
You’ll need:
Paint roller – Reuse the one from your prep.
Brushes – A sash brush is perfect for corners and trim, while a smaller brush is ideal for detail work.
5. Brushes and Rollers: The Main Players
Even if you’ve done all the prep perfectly, your final finish depends on your brush and roller technique—and the tools you choose.
A good painting kit should include:
A set of paintbrushes (various sizes for detail, edging, and corners)
A roller with a tray and grid – The grid helps remove excess paint for an even coat.
An extension pole – A must-have for ceilings and high walls if your roller doesn’t already have a long handle. Tip: Invest in quality rollers and brushes—cheaper options often shed bristles or leave streaks.
Is DIY Painting Worth It?
If you paint frequently or plan multiple projects, investing in quality gear is a no-brainer. But if you're only repainting once every 4–5 years, it might make more sense to buy only the essentials and borrow or hire the rest. Either way, knowing what you need—and why—will save you time, stress, and money.
Need a checklist of painting tools for your next DIY project? Let me know, and I’ll create one for you!
