What’s In a Painter’s Toolbox? – Let’s Explore!

Just like any other professional, painters also have a case or toolbox they carry around whenever they set out to work. This toolbox contains all the essentials that only painters will use, along with some standard tools used by craftspeople from other sectors.

One of the most common misconceptions about painters is that they need a few buckets of paint and a bunch of brushes, and they’re set to go.

But in reality, painting is the last thing a painter does on a paint job.

There are other steps and preparations one must make to prepare the surface they are painting over and the substance (in this case, paint) they are using.

Here, we will discuss what things are commonly found in a painter’s toolbox. We’re Of course, we’re talking about the must-haves. We’ll also dish out some tips and tricks about building your own professional painter’s toolbox. Here we go.

Whats In a Painters Toolbox

The Essentials

People might not realize but painters have more than bucket load of paints and brushes in their toolkit. Let’s take a look at an ideal painter’s toolkit and what’s in them.

Paint – The Most Obvious Thing

The most essential thing in a painter’s toolbox is paint. But paint can be of different varieties, qualities, categories, styles, and so on.

They say a painter is as good as their paint, and we firmly believe in it. The better the paint, the better it will be able to bring out the painter’s true potential and last longer. Our top pick, in this case, is acrylic latex paint with primer.

It gives your walls a buttery smooth finish. In addition, the primer layers the entire paint evenly. As a result, you won’t have to ponder on any permanent marks or brush trails after the paint job is done.

Sherwin-Williams Cashmere, Glidden Essentials Interior Paint, Spruce Best Home Interior Paint, Backdrop Standard Finish, and Clare Wall Paint are some of our favorites in the line.

Myriad of Brushes – The Second Most Obvious Thing

You must have some quality paintbrushes to turn your DIY paint job into a professional-looking one. For example, to get rid of a bristle-marked, blotchy finish, all you need is a bunch of paintbrushes that will give you a silky-smooth performance and durability.

Of course, rollers can also get the job done, but we’ll get to that later. Besides, there are some areas only a brush can touch (ooh, that sounds so artsy!). There are some things you should consider when buying brushes.

Firstly, the types of brushes that you’re going to need. Generally, there are 6 types of brushes based on their shapes and use. They are standard brushes, angle brushes, masonry brushes, rounded or sash brushes, domed brushes, and radiator brushes.

The names already suggest what type of brush is used for what purpose. But I’ll elaborate just a little.

The standard brush is basically the most typical paintbrush out there. You know, the one with long bristles and a flat end. They are usually used for painting over flat surfaces or for intricate areas where other types of brushes cannot reach.

Next up is the angle brush. As the name suggests, this is the type of brush that has its bristles in angular orientation. These brushes can be used for ‘cutting in’ between narrow spaces. Of course, we’re talking about the top of the wall and the ceiling.

The angular shape of the brush makes it quick and easy to evenly cover the area with paint with one or two strokes.

A masonry brush is made specifically for masonry paints, or paints that are typically used on exterior surfaces. They are usually 4-6 inches in size.

These can paint over broad exterior surfaces such as outdoor walls easily. It’s easy to identify these brushes because their bristles are tough and rugged, specially designed for painting over both smooth and rough surfaces.

Rounded brushes were originally named sash brushes because they can reach tricky areas such as in-between window sashes. Until today, these brushes are typically used for edging and cutting in or to paint over surfaces with uneven textures and profiles, such as pipes and frames.

Domed brushes are paintbrushes with a curved edge. They look almost the same as the standard paintbrush, but their end is rounded over to replicate that of an older, worn-over paintbrush. These brushes are used for a smoother finish.

The name gives it away. Radiator brushes are made for painting around radiators.

They are specifically designed to cover all the tricky spots, all the nooks and crannies of the surface around and behind a radiator.

Although standard radiator brushes may not always be the perfect fit for all kinds of radiators, but it’s best to measure the entire area, especially the space between the radiator and the wall before you choose a radiator brush.

Apart from all these types, brush sizes and bristle types are also some factors that you should check out before buying brushes for your painters’ toolbox.

Roller covers

Along with brushes, another handy tool that really gets painters going is roller covers. They are simple, easy to use, and get the job done quickly. There are a handful of things that you ought to keep in mind when shopping for roller covers.

Thing number one is that it must be easy to grip. The part of the roller cover that ensures whether it’s easy to is the frame.

The next important thing you should consider when buying these is the handle.The handle needs to be ergonomic enough. You’d be spending quite a lot of time with the roller cover, so the handle needs to be ergonomically shaped so that it’s easy to use and puts less strain on your wrists.

Ball bearings help to keep the roller covers rolling. They ensure a smooth and uninterrupted rolling movement over any surface that you might be painting over.

Last but not the least important factor about a roller cover is that the handle needs to be threaded. Threads or clips at the bottom of the handle allow you to attach extension poles to the roller covers for covering high areas such as ceilings or top parts of walls.

Brush extender

A brush extender is next on the list for a painter’s toolbox. As the name suggests, brush extenders are extensions attached to the handle of the brush to increase its length when you need to paint a surface that seems to be out of reach.

Little giant ladders

Don’t get confused by the name. A giant ladder is a specially designed foldable ladder. It can be used upright and dragged from one corner of the room to the other.

You don’t have to carry it around. The multi-position design of the ladder allows it to adapt to all kinds of surfaces and situations.

These little things are easy to set up, and take down and so lightweight that they can be carried around like toys. Then, when you’re done painting, you can just fold it and store it in your painters’ toolbox.

Some Final Words

Setting up a professional painters’ toolbox for the first time, especially if you’re just a DIY enthusiast, can be tricky, overwhelming, and confusing.

But just like everything else, there is a first time for this task. So doing some homework beforehand and gaining practical experience in the process will make it easier for you to find the right stuff.

We hope this article helps you set up the toolbox you always wanted.

Michael
Michael

My name is Michael M. Militello, and I want to help you find the right tools and the best products for your next project! As a professional tool expert here in Houston, TX, With my vast tool experience, I can help you choose the right brand, model, and size for the job. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. You can reach me here on my blog and also on Facebook, Twitter , and Pinterest. I look forward to hearing from you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *