House Painting Supplies

Before you paint your house, you're going to need some paint.  Read the guide on interior house paints  in conjunction with this information about painting supplies.

Application Method

Brushes  might be the first thing you think of when painting.  You want: Tapered, well-secured bristles. An unvarnished handle for better grip. Natural bristles for oil-based paints. Nylon bristles for water-based (latex) paints. 3"-5" width for large jobs, narrowing for smaller jobs. Always clean directly after use. Al's Net Biz will tell you everything you need to know for buying the proper brushes (and rollers).	Rollers  are for your big, even jobs. Roller covers vary in nap depth and material. Lambswool is the best and polyester the worst. Use thinner covers for glossier walls and thicker for flatter finishes. There are special rollers for trim, radiators, corners, etc. Compression roller handles are the most durable. Wing-nut rollers are the worst. Al's Net Biz will tell you everything you need to know for buying the proper rollers (and brushes).	Paint sprayers  help you cover a large surface area like the ceiling. Covers more space using less time, paint, and money. Requires a spraying rig, and some guts, but doesn't require any brushes. Check out this tutorial before attempting to spray your wall down.

Cleaning Supplies

Oxygen Bleach  cleans stains off your walls. Cleans organic matter like food, wine, blood, and grass. Can be used on more than just walls. Non-toxic.	Wood Bleach  (oxalic acid) To clean and revitalize the stained areas around nails. Leaves wood looking like new.	Trisodium Phosphate  (TSP) Cleans grease, soot, and other heavy-duty stains. Also used as a paint remover.	Boric Acid  A natural insecticide. Also a preservative and fire retardant.	Paint Thinner  (Mineral Spirits) Cleans paint off walls. Also used to clean oil-based (alkyd) paints off of brushes.

Basic Tools

Sandpaper  (fine, medium, and coarse) to get an even surface.	Masking Tape  to protect the surfaces you're not painting, like your windows.	Paint Tray  and 5-Gallon Mixing Bucket to hold all of your mixed paint.	Clean Rags  to clean up during and after the job.	Dropcloths  keep your furniture and floor from also being painted.

Specialty Tools

Caulking Guns  fill in any cracks or gaps in windows or tile before painting.	Wire Brushes  clean areas before painting. You need it really clean!	Mixing Brushes  help keep your paint from separating or drying out prematurely.	Sandblasters  quickly and thoroughly remove paint, rust, grease, and dirt from hard surfaces like metal.  But be gentle to your surface or you'll cause serious damage.

Paint Additives

Paint Reducer : Makes paint more durable, spreadable, and slower to harden in the pan.	Flame Guard : Makes paint burn resistant.  That's always a plus!

Some Advice

• Do It Yourself says that all you need is a 2 inch angled brush, a 2 inch trim brush, and a roller brush with an extension pole (to make it super long).
• Don't forget to dress in your most painterly clothes and cover all of your surfaces beforehand. You want your walls painted. Not your knees, couch, and puppy.

External Links

• Al's Net Biz -- Dozens of FAQs about fixing, improving, remodeling, and decorating your home.
• Do It Yourself -- Even more FAQs about finding the proper brush, etc.