Paint Pads: Everything to Know [Types, Why Need & How to use!]

Getting a good cut line, especially along the ceiling, can be tricky and time-consuming (especially if you’re fairly new to it and don’t have that steady hand).

You may also not like fiddling around with tape. It takes way too much time, and when you’re halfway done, you just want to jump off the roof because you have another half to go. It’s too much work.

Fortunately, there’s a handy-dandy tool to help you out—a paint pad.

If you’re looking to speed up your painting workflow or want to know how you can paint the top corners of a room in under 5 minutes, stick with me, and I’ll show you how.

What Is a Paint Pad?

A paint pad is a flat rectangular paint applier. The back has an easy-to-grasp handle, while the front is usually foam that’s covered with short closely-packed bristles.

They have various handle types available as well, so you can pick the one that’s most comfortable for you. You can also fix a standard extension pole to the handle and use it in higher-to-reach places.

Different paint pad sizes have varying widths ranging from 62mm (2-1/2inches) to 187mm (7-1/2inches). So you can choose the size that best suits the painting task at hand.

There are also tiny pads (with a flexible handle) for painting accurately in crevices and other hard-to-reach places.

You can purchase special edging pads that cut in between walls and ceilings, as well as corners. They have small guide wheels that run against the surface you aren’t painting.

Also, you can buy refill pads to replace the ones that are old and worn-out.

Types of Paint Pads

There are four types of paint pads that we’ll look at today, and I’ll break them down for you.

Foam Paint Pads

The foam types are the most commonly used paint pads. They have a foam with closely packed bristles on their surface. They’re typically used to paint most rooms, if not all.

Microfiber Paint Pads

These pads have a microfiber front which comes in varying pile heights. They’re usually used on wooden floors.

Sheepskin Paint Pads

This pad has a sheepskin front. It’s lightweight, and you can use it to paint hard-to-reach spots. It’s perfect for painting around corners and behind radiators.

Mohair Paint Pads

These pads use yarn from the Angora goat’s hair. You can use it with decorative coatings.

Why Should You Use a Paint Pad?

If you want to make perfect cut lines in record time, a paint pad is your friend. This applies to both brand new painters and seasoned contractors.

Paint pads are the fastest way to apply paint to a wall;they essentially give you that ideal painter’s cut. So you won’t have to struggle to try to get that perfect line—they’ll take care of all of that.

With this tool, you won’t have to mess around with tape or even a brush for the most part. It’ll give you fast and easy coverage on smooth surfaces and can be used with all types of paints and varnish.

Although they need faster reloading times than rollers, they help you do the job quite fast. I like them because they’re nearly as quick as rollers, but without any splatter.

They can be as good as a brush or taping or even better (depending on how you use it). But we’ll dive further into how to use it in the next part.

Paint pads are typically used for painting internal walls and wooden floors (the microfiber types). So they’re handy tools to have on your arsenal.

Now, let me walk you through how to use them.

How to Use Paint Pads—a Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s something we can both agree on, even though paint pads are less messy than rollers, it’s given that some paint will always end up where it’s not meant to be!

So make sure to protect the furniture and floor and wear your painter’s coat or some old clothes. You can also tape up wall plugs, light fixtures, and light switches (just to be sure).

For better effects, use a special paint pad tray with a built-in roller. But if you can’t get one, you can still use a regular paint tray (after all, it’s better than nothing).

So get your paint pad, handle, and brush and let’s get to work.

1. Pour the paint into the tray until it’s almost full.
2. If you’re using a tray with a built-in roller, roll the paint pad over the roller to transfer the paint to the pad. But if you’re using a regular tray, dip your pad into the tray and let it float for 3 to 4 seconds. Either way, the idea is to soak up the paint.
3. Wipe your pad on the edge of the tray to remove excess paint. When reloading, you’ll only need to let the pad float for one or two seconds because it’ll still have some paint left on it.
4. Apply the paint to one area of the wall at a time (this should ideally be one square meter).
5. Put the paint pad onto the wall and drag it diagonally in one direction and then in the other direction to form an X.
6. Pull the pad down in vertical strokes until you’ve completely covered the X. When you’re through with one section, move on to the next area of the wall.
7. When you’ve covered the area you intended to paint, use the detail pad to fill in the gaps on the edges. This pad is ideal for painting around electrical sockets and light switches.
8. When you get to areas that are difficult to reach with your pad, that’s when you use your brush. But make sure it’s relatively dry, then brush in those fine details. The brush is also ideal for the corners of the room as well.

That’s all. It’s as simple as that.

Conclusion

You now understand how to use paint pads like a seasoned pro. You’ll be well on your way to give any room a fantastic look and feel if you follow the step-by-step guide above.

Also, be patient with yourself when you’re doing a painting job. I hope you’re now confident enough to apply what you’ve learned in this guide.