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Painting Supplies Directory

Everything you need to know about painting supplies, tools, and terminology

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Search our comprehensive directory of painting supplies and tools

Painting Supplies Categories

Organized by category for easy browsing

Paint Brushes

Essential brushes for different painting tasks

Angled Sash Brush
Essential

2-3 inch brush for cutting in edges and trim work

Wall Brush
Essential

4-6 inch brush for large wall areas

Detail Brush

1/2-1 inch brush for fine detail work

Stencil Brush

Round brush for stenciling and decorative work

Natural Bristle Brush

For oil-based paints and varnishes

Synthetic Bristle Brush
Essential

For water-based paints and latex

Rollers & Accessories

Rollers for efficient wall and ceiling painting

Paint Roller Frame
Essential

9-inch frame for standard roller covers

Roller Covers
Essential

Various nap lengths for different surfaces

Roller Tray
Essential

Tray for loading paint onto roller

Roller Extension Pole
Essential

Extendable pole for high walls and ceilings

Mini Roller

4-inch roller for small areas and touch-ups

Corner Roller

Specialized roller for inside corners

Preparation Materials

Materials for surface preparation and protection

Drop Cloths
Essential

Canvas or plastic sheets to protect floors and furniture

Painter's Tape
Essential

Blue tape for clean edges and masking

Plastic Sheeting
Essential

Heavy-duty plastic for large area protection

Sandpaper
Essential

Various grits for surface preparation

Spackle
Essential

Compound for filling holes and cracks

Caulk
Essential

Sealant for gaps and joints

TSP (Trisodium Phosphate)

Heavy-duty cleaner for grease and grime

Degreaser

Specialized cleaner for kitchen and bathroom surfaces

Safety Equipment

Protective gear for safe painting

Safety Goggles
Essential

Eye protection from paint splatters

Respirator Mask
Essential

Protection from paint fumes and dust

Work Gloves
Essential

Protection for hands during prep work

Coveralls

Protective clothing to keep paint off clothes

Knee Pads

Protection when working on floors or low areas

Painting Tools

Essential tools for professional results

Paint Scraper
Essential

For removing old paint and loose material

Putty Knife
Essential

For applying spackle and smoothing surfaces

Paint Can Opener
Essential

Proper tool for opening paint cans

Paint Stirrer
Essential

For mixing paint thoroughly

Paint Strainer

For filtering paint and removing debris

Paint Pour Spout

For clean pouring from paint cans

Paint Brush Comb

For cleaning and maintaining brushes

Ladders & Access

Equipment for reaching high areas safely

Step Ladder
Essential

6-8 foot ladder for standard height work

Extension Ladder

For high walls and exterior work

Ladder Stabilizer

Safety accessory for extension ladders

Scaffolding

For large commercial or exterior projects

Ladder Leveler

For working on uneven surfaces

Cleanup Supplies

Materials for cleaning up after painting

Paint Thinner

For cleaning oil-based paint tools

Mineral Spirits

Alternative to paint thinner for cleaning

Soap and Water
Essential

For cleaning water-based paint tools

Rags
Essential

For cleaning and wiping surfaces

Paint Brush Cleaner

Specialized cleaner for maintaining brushes

Trash Bags
Essential

For disposing of used materials

Specialty Items

Specialized tools for specific painting tasks

Paint Edger

Tool for creating clean edges without tape

Corner Brush

Specialized brush for inside and outside corners

Paint Shield

Metal shield for protecting adjacent surfaces

Paint Roller Cleaner

Tool for cleaning roller covers

Paint Mixer

Electric mixer for large paint quantities

Paint Sprayer

For large areas and professional finishes

Paint Types & Applications

Understanding different paint types and the right tools to use with each

Interior Latex Paint

Water-based paint for interior walls and ceilings

Common Uses:

Living rooms
Bedrooms
Hallways
Ceilings
Finish Options:

Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss

Coverage:

300-400 sq ft per gallon

Dry Time:

1-2 hours

Cleanup:

Soap and water

Recommended Tools:

Brushes:

Synthetic bristle brushes (nylon/polyester)

2-3" angled sash, 4" wall brush

Rollers:

Synthetic roller covers with 3/8" to 1/2" nap

9" roller frame with 3/8" nap for smooth walls, 1/2" nap for textured walls

Exterior Latex Paint

Weather-resistant paint for exterior surfaces

Common Uses:

Exterior walls
Siding
Trim
Shutters
Finish Options:

Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss

Coverage:

250-350 sq ft per gallon

Dry Time:

2-4 hours

Cleanup:

Soap and water

Recommended Tools:

Brushes:

Synthetic bristle brushes (nylon/polyester)

3-4" angled sash, 4-6" wall brush

Rollers:

Synthetic roller covers with 1/2" to 3/4" nap

9" roller frame with 1/2" nap for smooth siding, 3/4" nap for textured surfaces

Oil-Based Paint

Durable paint for high-traffic areas and trim

Common Uses:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Trim
Doors
Cabinets
Finish Options:

Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss

Coverage:

300-400 sq ft per gallon

Dry Time:

6-8 hours

Cleanup:

Paint thinner or mineral spirits

Recommended Tools:

Brushes:

Natural bristle brushes (China bristle) or high-quality synthetic

1-2" trim brush, 2-3" sash brush

Rollers:

Natural fiber roller covers or high-quality synthetic

4" mini roller for trim, 9" roller with 1/4" nap for smooth surfaces

Primer

Base coat for better paint adhesion and coverage

Common Uses:

New drywall
Bare wood
Stained surfaces
Color changes
Finish Options:

Matte

Coverage:

300-400 sq ft per gallon

Dry Time:

1-2 hours

Cleanup:

Soap and water (latex) or paint thinner (oil)

Recommended Tools:

Brushes:

Synthetic bristle for latex primer, natural bristle for oil primer

2-3" angled sash, 4" wall brush

Rollers:

Synthetic roller covers with 3/8" to 1/2" nap

9" roller frame with 3/8" nap for smooth surfaces, 1/2" nap for textured walls

Painting Terminology

Key terms every painter should know

Cutting In

The process of painting edges and corners with a brush before rolling the main area

Example: Cutting in around windows, doors, and ceiling edges

Feathering

Blending wet paint edges to avoid visible brush marks or roller lines

Example: Feathering the edge of a freshly painted area into the existing paint

Nap

The thickness of the fabric on a roller cover, measured in fractions of an inch

Example: 1/4 inch nap for smooth surfaces, 3/4 inch nap for textured walls

Tack Cloth

Sticky cloth used to remove dust and debris before painting

Example: Using tack cloth after sanding to ensure a clean surface

Backrolling

Rolling over freshly applied paint to ensure even coverage and texture

Example: Backrolling after spraying paint to create a uniform finish

Flash Point

The temperature at which paint vapors can ignite

Example: Important safety consideration when working with oil-based paints

Wet Edge

The boundary between wet and dry paint that must be maintained for smooth blending

Example: Keeping a wet edge prevents lap marks and ensures uniform appearance

Sagging

Paint that runs or sags down the wall due to over-application

Example: Sagging can occur when too much paint is applied in one area

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