Any time a home improvement or renovation project comes up, homeowners will often ask themselves the question, “Should I hire a professional or can I do this myself? Should I hire a carpenter? Should I hire a plumber? Should I hire a painter?” When you own a house, upkeep costs can add up, and sometimes you’ll opt for DIY options to save some cash. While it’s always best to hire a professional painter for speed and quality, we want you to have the tools necessary to do things on your own should you choose to. So here are some tools of the trade for homeowners undertaking a DIY painting project.
Brushes
Perhaps the most iconic painting tool of all time is the paintbrush. When embarking on a DIY home painting project, you’ll use brushes for areas that are too small for rollers, and to do what’s called “cutting in,” where you paint along the edges of a wall where it meets the ceiling or a door jamb. During this process, it’s essential to get accurate, straight lines to cut down on touch-up work.
A great all-around option for a quality interior brush is the Premier Montauk brush. These brushes are handmade in New York with a durable hardwood handle and 100% Dupont Tynex/Orel bristles for longevity. These brushes are versatile workhorses that will last you a long time.
For a paintbrush specifically designed for cutting in, the Wedge by Whizz Professional is engineered to create accurate straight lines while holding enough paint to pull long strokes. Paintbrushes are made on a spectrum from thin to thick, with thinner bristles creating finer, more accurate lines, and thicker ones holding more paint for longer strokes. The Wedge combines the best of both worlds, designed with a thick end and a thin end to create a wedge shape. The thick end holds more paint, while the thin end creates a beautiful, precise cutting line.
Rollers
When painting walls in your home, you’ll use a paint roller to cover the majority of the surface. It’s important to determine what material of roller cover to use, depending on the wall’s texture and type of paint, as well as find an extension handle to suit your needs.
The material of the roller cover will determine its ability to absorb paint, as well as create varying textures in the finish. Microfiber roller covers can hold more paint than many other types, saving time reloading the paint, and are excellent for semi-gloss and high-gloss sheens. Polyester rollers are excellent in the long run, holding up against matting and boasting versatility when it comes to wall textures. If you need a particularly smooth finish, like when painting cabinets, foam rollers will give you even, glassy rolls, but aren’t as durable as other materials.
Wooster Pro’s Doo-Z roller covers use a proprietary woven fabric that maximizes absorption and minimizes shedding. Another excellent option for DIY home painting is to purchase a complete kit. Both Pilot Fish and Stanley offer kits that include everything you need to roll your walls.
When rolling a wall or ceiling, it’s important to use a telescoping extender handle, even if you aren’t painting particularly tall surfaces. Using an extender will maximize ergonomics so that you can paint for longer without getting tired. Wooster and Power Lock both offer quality telescoping poles to make rolling a breeze. You should also consider using pail and tray inserts for easier cleanup!
Prep Tools
Preparation is just as important as actually applying paint to a wall. If you want a fast, stress-free painting experience, good planning can make all the difference, and there are some excellent tools out there to make prep even easier.
Taping is a great way to cover areas you want to keep paint-free, while cutting clean lines along the edges of walls and ceilings. FrogTape uses proprietary technology to seal off paint from penetrating, immediately adhering to the surface and quality material for durability and easy application.
Canvas drop cloths or plastic liners are great ways to cover floors, cabinetry and furniture for easy cleanup. 3M makes Hand-Masker to dispense tape and plastic liners for quick, simple application. Spending time during prep and using tools to speed up the process will pay dividends when it’s time to put paint on the surface.
While many people prefer to hire a professional for interior and exterior painting, we want you to have the tools necessary to do the best job you can if you opt to do it yourself. If you do decide you want a pro for your next paint project, give us a call and we’ll be happy to breathe new life into your home!
