Checklist: Painting Supplies List
Drop sheets
If you’re on a budget:
Cardboard boxes you’ve saved can be broken down and used and reused
Old bed sheets you want to retire,
Cheap thin plastic drop sheets from any hardware store, if you’re in a bind but we find them a risky, as things tend to get slippery
If you want to splurge:
Invest in a heavy duty one with a plastic lining to prevent paint from the possibility of seeping through
Paper towels
Great for clean up and drying out brushes..you should periodically wash out your brush as you work every 2ish hours
Wet cloth/ bacteria wipes
Good for wiping off dust build up and grime on baseboards as it’s more durable than wet paper towel
Cleans wet paint nicely if you manage to drip
T.S.P. (Tri-Sodium Phosphate)
Depends on the job, and the severity of build up of dirt and grease you may need to remove
We’ll use it to prep a floor if we’re painting it. In a kitchen around a cooking area if there is a build up, or for garage doors to remove dirt and make sure the new paint has good adhesion, or particularly grungy baseboards perhaps…not always necessary before painting
Painters tape
Most professional painters rarely, if ever, use tape when painting
Instead they use a technique called cutting when edging a room, which requires a steady hand, an angled/ tapered brush and a leading bead of paint…it requires a lot of practice..we have yet to fully master the skill
It’s definitely worth investing in the frog tape if you want a nice clean sharp line, as it eliminates bleed.
Necessary for deep, high contrast colours (from wall to ceiling or accent walls)
Important: peel tape after first coat of colour while paint is still wet (within 5 minutes of painting preferably)
Note: you only paint within 1-2cm of the edge on your second coat
We use cheap green tape more for siliconing bathroom showers and counters but it does an adequate job if there is not a high contrast between two colours and you don’t mind doubling back to touch up things after you peel back the tape
Sandpaper (and grip) and/or Sanding Sponge
You can wrap sandpaper around a rectangular block/a flat piece of wood that fits comfortably in your hand to sand new plaster patches or take off miniature dried flecks of paint left from the roller
Not effective on bumps and patches that have been poorly sanded and painted over already (you’re better off with a hand power tool at that point)
Buying a sanding pad handle makes things easier
It’s a must if you’re sanding a lot of fresh plaster work
If you’ve just primed new drywall, it might be in your better interest to get a sanding pad that attaches to a pole and give a quick pass before and in between coats
Tiny bits of paint can form on your newly painted surface from drywall dust
Painting rods
You can drop some serious change on an extendable one, but they come in multiple sizes, so pick one that accommodates your height and the height of walls and ceilings you’ll be working on. If you can afford it, buy a couple of sizes
If you don’t have the budget, most rollers are designed to screw on to a standard broom pole…can be a real life saver, if you find you’re without one and painting a ceiling
DryDex and a spatula
Goes on pink and dries white, when it’s completely white you know it’s safe to sand
Make sure you take off excess material while it’s wet and pliable, trying to attain the flattest surface to blend into what’s existing
Come back and do a second pass once its fully dry, if you need to
The less the build up of DryDex you have, the less work you have sanding it
A two or three step ladder
Handy for cutting/edging ceilings and painting corners with your brush
Bags (grocery/garbage sizes)
Helpful for temporarily storing paint/brushes for a few hours to overnight if tightly sealed
Yogurt containers and their lids
Good for pouring paint to carry around for edging and painting corners with a brush
You can use a piece of plastic wrap over the top before putting on the lid to extend the shelf life of the paint for a couple of months in the container
Paint pourer
Keeps the can clean so the can’s lid can maintain a good seal for storage for years to come
Stir sticks
If the colour hasn’t been mixed that day, best to give it a stir
Paint can opener
Multihead screwdriver
Needed for removing light switch/outlet covers
Doubles as a sad paint can opener in a pinch
Utility knife and flat blade
Good for tidying up accidental paint on glass or removing those existing unsightly paint drips
Rollers
Quality brushes
We love Purdy brushes, it’s a bit more expensive but once you use them you’ll know why
If you take proper care of them, they’ll last you quite some time
Paint brush comb (optional for cleanup)
Microfiber roller sleeves
You’ll want wet your hand and run it over new roller sleeves to help remove lint that can end up embedded in your paint before using
Get a sleeve with a good nap (3/8”-1/2” nap) as it holds a good amount of paint and minimizes risk of milking the roller effect..remember always make sure your roller is well loaded with paint
Can be washed and reused several times
Mini roller and it’s tray with both foam and microfiber options
Microfiber helps maintain eggshell texture for walls but if your looking for a flatter finish texture foam is the way to go
Paint trays and disposable liners
Liners can get a few uses, assuming it had the time to fully dry between colours
Do you have any other supplies you can't live without?
Do you have any questions about the items on this list?
