Choosing the right tools for your painting job is as important as choosing the right paints. When it comes to the tools the following three are of the greatest importance for the success of your painting plan: a brush, a roller cover and a ladder.
1.Choosing a Brush
Types of Brushes:
- Brushes made of natural materials – perfectly suited for oil based paints
- Brushes made of nylon materials – are an excellent choice for latex paints
- Brushes made of polyester materials – suitable for latex based paints
Brushes’ Sizes:
- From 1” to 2” – suitable for windows and small trims
- Up to 3” – suitable for doors
- From 4” and above – suitable for flat and large surfaces
Brushes’ Types According to Their Endings:
- Chisel Trim Brush – used for cornering and edging or cutting in with straight lines
- Square Trim Brush – used for large and flat surfaces
- Angled Brush – used for windows, trim and cutting in or edging
Brush Painting Styles:
- Thin Angle Sash – suitable for straight lines of corners, edges and trims
- Angle Sash – suitable for ceiling surfaces
- Flat Sash – suitable for large and flat surfaces
2.Choosing a Roller Cover
Roller Cover Types:
- Roller Covers made of synthetic materials such as nylon, Dacron and polyester. Primarily used with latex paints.
- Roller Covers made of natural materials such as mohair and sheepskin are more suitable for oil based paints and enamels.
- Roller Covers that are blended such as polyester or wool blend. Can be used with both latex and oil based paints.
Roller Covers According to Their Fiber Nap’s Thickness:
- Very Smooth – used for metal surfaces
- Smooth – used for wall surfaces
- Semi-Smooth – used for wall and ceiling surfaces
- Semi-Rough – used for rough wooden surfaces which are mostly found on the exteriors
- Rough – used for textured ceilings
- Very Rough – used for masonry surfaces
3.Choosing a Ladder
Ladders’ Styles and Sizes:
- For heights from 2 to 8 feet – stepladder or platform
- For heights over 8 feet – multi-purpose ladder or ladder with extensions
Ladders’ Duty Sizes:
- Regular Duty up to 200 Ibs – used for painting
- Higher Regular Duty up to 225 Ibs – used for painting, cleaning and repair
- Heavy Duty up to 250 Ibs – used for building and maintenance
- Extra Heavy Duty up to 300 Ibs – used for industrial purposes
Ladders’ Fabrication Materials:
- Ladders made of fiberglass – advantages: do not conduct electricity, very strong
- Ladders made of aluminum – advantages: great corrosion resistance, very light in weight
- Ladders made of wood – do not conduct electricity, not expensive