The most important thing in preparing for a painting job, no matter how big or small, is to be ready and prepared. This means starting the process by gathering the proper materials that you will need for the job.

Let’s start with what to wear. Professional house painters usually work in overalls and old shoes. Wear something that you don’t mind getting paint on.

If you have a bad back or shoulder, I would not suggest wearing overalls. They can actually hurt you because they restrict the movement in your painting arm.

Go with something comfortable like a t-shirt and sweat pants. You want to be able to move and stretch to get to those hard to reach areas.

Checklist For Painting Tools

Now lets get to the actual materials that you will need for your basic paint job. It is always good to have a checklist to bring with you when you shop for supplies.

Drop Cloths - You will need to protect your floors whether carpeted, hardwood, or tiled. There are several different  Canvas Drop Cloths to choose from. I have found that the best one to use that can be used almost anywhere are the ones made out of heavy duty canvas.

I would invest in one that has a tighter weave. They can absorb spills without leaking through to the actual floor. Stay away from paper and plastic.

The wet paint can sit on them. You can then step in it and track it through the house - not good, especially if you have carpet. Keep in mind that the canvas drop cloths can be used over and over again for years.

Bucket - Use to mix paint or even keep water and a rag in it for when you need to clean-up a paint spill. This is always good to have on hand.

Ladder with tray - This is self explanatory. You will need a ladder for the areas that you can’t reach like ceilings and above windows and doors.

This is my absoulute favorite ladder for almost every paint job. Cosco Max Work Platform Step Stool

They also make Hooks called The Painter’s Assistant that you can attach to the ladder to hold your paint can or bucket, etc. Just be careful that the can does not make the ladder top heavy and cause it to tip over when not on the ladder.

Stir Sticks - Most paint suppliers will provide you with paint stirrers when you buy paint. These are used to stir the paint.

The paint store shakes up the paint while they mix it, so it is not necessary to stir the paint if you are going to use the paint the day that you buy it. But if the paint is sitting for a few days, you will want to make sure you stir it well.

Roller, Roller Skins, Paint Tray - Using a roller to paint your walls is the best choice. There are different naps available. You will need to read the roller skin packaging to figure out which one is the best for the type of paint that you will be using.

Cleaning Rags - These always come in handy when cleaning up. They are also great to clean off the actual paint can if you are dumping the paint into a paint tray. You can also use them to wipe off your hands periodically. It is very important to keep your work environment clean so that way there is less possibility of making a mistake.

Spackling Compound - You will need this in order to fill the holes and small imperfections in the surface. You can buy it in a small container. The material usually dries quickly so it can be sanded within an hour.

Putty Knife - This can be used to remove old paint or to touch up with spackle / joint compound if you have small holes or other imperfections. It is best to take care of these things before you start painting. Remember if you do any repairs they will need to be spot primed. The spackle will show through if you don’t.

Sandpaper - There are several different grains that you can purchase ranging from extra fine to course. Use coarser grits for rough sanding and the smoother grit for smooth sanding. You will need a fine grit sandpaper to sand spackle or putty to make it smooth before priming.

Razor Blade / Utility Knife - You can use an actual flat razor blade to remove dry paint from glass. But my favorite use for a utility knife is to cut along the edge of my painter’s tape so when I remove it, it has a nice clean line.

Painter’s Tape - All painters have a different approach when they prep for painting. Some use Painters Masking Tape, and some don’t. When doing a faux paint finish, painter’s tape is a must.

You will need to protect the trim, baseboards, ceilings, etc. from getting the glaze on them. If you are just doing a straight painting job and you have a steady hand, you may choose to just cut in and not bother with the painter’s tape. It is really up to you.

Brushes - Don’t skimp when buying brushes. The cheaper ones will only cause you frustration, because the bristles will come out on your painted surface. The best brush to get is an angled 2″ brush. You can use this on trim, windows, doors, and even for cutting in. Make sure you clean your brushes thoroughly after each use.

Screw Drivers - You need both a phillips head and a flat head. These are important to have because you will need to use them to remove switch plates and outlet covers.

This little cordless one drops into the tool case so it’s always handy!

Speaking of “Tool Bucket”… I have a favorite one that I used for years. I tried one of those canvas bags with wheels… nice for my back, but it kept tipping over. So I went back to my long time favorite:

Click Here To See The Large Canvas Bag

So, those are just a few things that you will need to get started. You will find that the more prepared you are the smoother the job will be.

Oh, and don’t forget - Keep your workspace clean! Keep your supplies in one spot in a bin where you can easily see everything. If you find that the room is starting to get cluttered with all of your supplies, stop for a minute and tidy up.

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