Painting tools

Here's a list of basic items you may need:

Surface preparation tools sandpaper, a screwdriver, wire brush, scraper, putty and masking tape, filling blades and a putty knife, shave hooks, a steel float, hacking knife, sanding block, dusting brush, pot hook, hammer, nail punch, protective glasses, protective gloves and drop or cover sheets.

50mm, 75mm and 100mm flat paintbrushes - 50mm for applying paint, stain and clear coatings to small areas; 75mm for slightly larger areas such as skirting boards, architraves and doors; 100mm for painting broad areas such as walls and ceilings. A quality brush should have a strong hardwood handle, a copper or nickel-plated steel ferrule (a band to help strengthen the brush and hold the bristles together) and pure or synthetic tapered bristles with fledged ends (like the split ends of hair).

Sash cutter - ranging from 25 to 75mm, these are designed for 'cutting in' or painting up to edges, and come with bevelled edges for getting into sharp corners with ease. They have longer handles than general brushes.

Fitch - a small brush used for delicate, detailed tasks.

Paint roller - You may also need an extension pole, depending on the size of the task. Make sure you choose the right roller sleeve for the job.

These include:
Lamb's wool - for applying flat or matt acrylic paints, with an average 10mm pile.
Orlon - for applying gloss and semi-gloss acrylic paints, with a pile length between 7 and 10mm.
Mohair - for applying gloss and semi-gloss enamels, this is specifically designed for smooth surfaces such as walls and flush doors. It has a pile length of 7mm.
Polyester - use on rough to semi-rough surfaces. Most paints can be applied with this sleeve, except for gloss enamel. Best pile length is 20mm.

Foam rubber - used to apply gloss and semi-gloss enamels and clear finishes. When used on smooth surfaces to achieve a high-gloss finish, the paint may need to be evened out with a brush. Best pile length is between 5 and 7mm.

A roller tray - available in a range of sizes to cater for different roller widths and quantities of paint.

Wire loop and/or roller spinner - for cleaning excess paint off rollers.

Safe scaffolding - check with your local authority re safe working heights. Naturally, any ladder should be in good condition and positioned on a firm, level surface. And you want to stay put on that ladder - don't stand higher than the third step from the top of the ladder and avoid over-reaching. Never use metal ladders, or wooden ladders with wire reinforcement, where there is a possibility they may come into contact with live electricity

Other options:

Airless spray - a small electric airless spray gun is ideal for painting fences, lattice work or furniture.
Paint pad - a short pile face, usually mohair, attached to a foam pad that is fitted to a handle. Useful for painting bands or lines of colour on flat surfaces.

Paint mitten - made of sheepskin or synthetic material, a paint mitten is immersed in paint, wrapped around the object to be painted and wiped over the surface. Ideal for painting pipes and railings.

Painting: safety first

Many paint products are now promoted as being almost odourless. But some paints, and certainly most solvents, are toxic and can cause a range of health problems, including breathing difficulties, sore eyes and skin irritations. It's important you take all necessary precautions when preparing to paint.

Avoiding skin irritations
Before painting, apply a good quality barrier cream to your hands. This will keep the skin moist and make it easier to remove the paint.

When you have finished painting, always clean your hands (especially before eating), but try to avoid using solvents to do this as they will dry out the skin. There are a number of good industrial hand cleansers available from hardware and paint shops.

Learning to avoid fumes

To avoid being overcome by the strong fumes of paint or solvents, provide plenty of ventilation in the room you are going to work in. Keep doors and windows open or, if this is not possible because of wind or rain, use electric fans. Avoid smoking while working with solvents or substances emitting strong vapours - the heat from a cigarette is enough to increase the toxicity in the chemical breakdown, making these vapours even more dangerous.

Source: Painting & Wallpapering (Murdoch Books)