DIY painting can be a very effective solution for your home, especially for smaller interior projects. But many don’t know exactly where to begin when it comes to tackling their own painting project, especially if ceilings are involved. The best place to start is always with the right tools. So let’s take a look at the most important equipment you need for this DIY project inside your home ““ and why you need them.
Painter’s Tape
Painter’s tape is a type of tape designed to be easily applied and removed when preparing a room for painting. You put it on the edges of your baseboards, door frames, light fixtures, windows and anything else that isn’t a wall. Then, when painting begins, you don’t have to worry about getting too close to any of those edges and can instead focus on the quality of the paint coat.
A lot of DIYers wonder if they can use masking tape instead: It’s a possibility, but proper painter’s tape tends to adhere better to a variety of surfaces.
Brushes and Rollers
For painting any expansive section of wall or ceiling, you need to get rollers along with your paint. Look for roller packs that are right for your project: Shorter naps are better for smooth surfaces, while longer naps are better for rougher surfaces. Brushes, meanwhile, are the best option for painting tighter corners and other, more awkward areas. Pick the right brush size based on the unique quirks of the room. You may also want to get a couple of smaller brushes if you are planning on painting trim as well.
Paint Trays
If you have rollers, you need paint trays, too! Paint trays are a pretty simple purchase, just make sure that you have enough and their width matches the width of the rollers you are using. For bigger projects, DIYers often wrap extra paint leftover in their paint trays and put them in the fridge for using the next morning: It’s not always ideal, but it can help you save on paint.
6 Must Haves for DIY Interior Painting
Extension Poles
If your walls are higher than 8 feet or so, then you’ll probably need an extension pole to paint the full room. Poles are also a pretty easy purchase, but you do need to make sure that they are compatible with your rollers, so don’t just assume that all poles will fit all rollers.
Ladder
A ladder is either a potential alternative to an extension pole for smaller rooms or a requirement to paint particularly high walls and ceilings ““ you’ll know if you need one or not. Sometimes a small step ladder is all that a room requires. Or you may need to purchase a larger folding aluminum ladder to reach all available spaces and ceilings. On the plus side, a bigger ladder is a great asset to have for all kinds of DIY projects around the house.
Still need help or advice on a particular project? Call Tar Heel Painters today to ask questions and learn more! We’re happy to help you make sure your project turns out just like you wanted.
