22 Tools, Equipment, And Materials Every Painter Must Have
Whether you’re a painter, drywall contractor, or electrician, you know that having the right tools is vital for any trade job. For painting, a set of quality tools will make the job safer, faster, and easier. Plus, it saves you money. Investing in good quality tools will limit the times you have to replace them.
If you’re a newbie looking to fill your set or a seasoned painting contractor checking to see what you lack, this list will help you. In this article, we list the essential tools, equipment, and materials every painter must-have.
Painting Tools Every Painter Should Have
- Brushes
The majority of the work is done using rollers or sprayers, but brushes are typically used for cutting in and smaller and detailed features. They are one of the most essential things every painter should have. In your set, you should have an angled brush and a flat brush.
2. Paint roller
Compared to brushes, paint rollers cover more area, and they do it quicker. They are mostly used for larger surfaces, such as ceilings and walls. Make sure that you buy a right roller, so the application is faster and smoother.
3. Extension pole
Rollers typically don’t have a handle long enough to reach high heights. That’s why having a screw-on extension pole is handy to have. In case you don’t have a step ladder or the ladder is still too short, an extension pole will help you do the job.
4. Roller covers
The roller cover is what absorbs and holds the paint. With that said, the type of cover you use should depend on the job.
Generally speaking, ¾-inch rollers are great for outdoor jobs because they are thicker. This allows them to apply the paint even on rough surfaces evenly. For indoor projects, a ⅜-inch cover will do.
5. Roller tray
For rollers to be effective, you’ll need an effective roller tray. It holds the paint so the roller can easily be loaded with more.
6. Tray liner
Tray liners might seem unnecessary to some, but they significantly help with cleaning up. Instead of letting the paint dry on the tray and wasting it, you can pour the excess back into the can and dispose of the liner. You won’t have to spend time cleaning the actual tray.
While there are tray liners available commercially, many people have been using common alternatives, like cling wrap.
7. Paint sprayer
When the job is too big for rollers, it may be a good idea to use a paint sprayer. If a job usually takes hours, a paint sprayer can get it done in minutes without compromising quality. However, you would still need to go over crevices and edges with a roller or brush.
8. Paint edger
While paintbrushes work for cutting in, they don’t make lack that clean finish. Like a sprayer, a paint edger can help make the job much simpler and faster without sacrificing quality.
9. Sponge
Before painting, wipe down the surface with the wet sponge. Doing this will make sure that there is no leftover debris that can damage the final result and make the paint stick better.
10. Paint can opener
A simple yet handy tool to have, paint can openers are specifically designed to fit in paint cans, making it easy to pop the lid off. Plus, having one on your person can limit your time looking around for something to open the can with.
11. Paint can be pouring spout.
Painting is a messy job. But with a pouring spout, you can limit the mess that happens. The spout can prevent the paint from dripping into the can’s groove and sticking. You’ll even have better control over the direction when pouring.
12. Stir stick
Common mistake painters make is not stirring the paint before application. If you fail to stir, you might end up with disappointing results, most likely with the color. With that, invest in several stir sticks to properly mix the paint before using it.
13. Paint remover
Like we said earlier, painting is a messy job. And even if you take extra care or have been in the business for a while, mistakes are sometimes unavoidable. That’s why it’s wise to have paint removers on hand. When accidents happen, they can easily clean it up, making it look like nothing happened.
14. Tape measure
Painting is a job that requires precise measurements. So before getting started with painting, measure the surfaces you’re going to work on with a tape measure. You can then calculate how much primer and paint you would need, avoiding wasting or not having enough.
15. Blue painter’s tape
Although effective, a brush or paint edger still has a slight chance of getting paint on unwanted areas. Here’s where painter’s tape comes in. wall edges, window trims, doors, and ceilings are just some of the areas you put tape on so paint doesn’t get on them. Using painter’s tape will have a cleaner and more refined finish.
To apply the tape easier and faster, you can use a painter’s masking tool.
16. Sander/sandpaper
Sanding the surface down before painting ensures that it’s free from imperfections. Most primers have an uneven texture when applied. Painting over old paint would also require sanding down. Also, doing this can help the paint adhere better to the surface.
17. Markers, pens, and pencils
Markers, pens, and pencils may seem unnecessary, but they can help ease the. There could be times when you would want to make some marks, maybe for design or simply a reference. A non-ink, non-permanent marking pen will do the trick.
18. Heat gun
Besides paint remover, a heat gun can help you fix your mistakes. Just heat the paint and scrape it away. Although it takes a bit more effort to use this, it’s less like to damage the surface than chemical solutions.
19. Screwdriver
Removing switch covers and outlets is one of the first things a painter does during prep work. Of course, a screwdriver is the best tool for that. Have both a Phillips head and a flat head in your kit. Flatheads can act as paint can opener if you don’t have one on your person.
20. Step ladder
Step ladders are handy when it’s time to paint high areas like the ceiling. Although extended rollers work, they can be hard to control. They even have you bending and twisting, giving you backaches. Step ladders give you better control as well as less strain on your back.
21. Work light
Working conditions will continuously change. You may be needed to work until dark or in areas where lighting is low. That’s why you should have a work light with you. Having an ample amount of light will help you do a better job.
22. Drop cloth
Again, painting is a messy job. When you start on the ceiling, chances are the paint will drip to the floor. Without proper prep work, you could end up spending a lot of time cleaning up when you should be done. To avoid any messy drips, place drop cloths on areas that need protection. You can even put them over furniture if there are in the room.
The proper attire and safety gear
Even though it’s not as dangerous as other construction and trade jobs, painting still presents a few hazards. That’s why it’s vital to be suited up, prepared, and safe.
- Attire
You wouldn’t want to ruin your regular clothes with paint, would you? Also, as a professional, you should be dressed accordingly. There are paint overalls commercially available to protect you and show your clients that you are serious about your work.
2. Masks
Working with a lot of chemicals can pose a risk to one’s health. Although most paint is not poisonous if used correctly, paint fumes can still irritate the nose and throat and cause dizziness. Respirator masks are particularly effective in protecting the respiratory system from paint toxins.
4. Safety glasses or goggles
Paint fumes can also irritate the eyes. There’s also a chance that the paint can splatter into your eyes. Protect yourself with safety goggles or glasses.
5. Knee pads
Although not a popular thing among painters have, knee pads make your job more comfortable. Painters will frequently find themselves working on the floor and this can hurt the knees. Buying a good pair of knee pads can limit this pain.
How project management software helps painting jobs
For many contractors, they have to work on two sides of a coin. On the one hand, they put their skills in play by doing the heavy lifting and painting. This is when the real importance of their tools shine.
On the other hand, they have to deal with the management side of things — supervising the crew and monitoring their activity. Managing construction and trade projects is not an easy task, but it can be done better with good construction crew management and useful construction scheduling software. Companies like Pro Crew Schedule offer a myriad of management software for the trades.
With it, contractors remotely track the project’s progress, store important documents on the cloud, and even create detailed reports. Management software is proving to be an essential tool for the trades.
Get a free 30-day trial if you sign up today! Enjoy all the features without providing any credit card information. Click here to request a demo.
