10 Best Painting Equipment and Supplies Every Professional Contractor Need – 2023 Guide

If you ask any professional painter, they’d tell you that there are some tools in their arsenal that they swear by. Just like any profession, the right equipment can make the quality of paintwork go up quite easily and make the job much faster and efficient. Let’s take a look at what the basic supplies are. Here’s a list of the must-haves:

1. Paint roller

The value of a good, wide roller is immeasurable, especially when there is a wide, long stretch of wall to be painted. Often, it is assumed that if we have a brush we would not need a roller, but the time taken to paint large surfaces can literally be cut into half, if not more. The width of the roller is to be noted, and a minimum of at least two sizes is recommended. They are easy to use, easy to maintain and get the job done in a jiffy.

2. Roller cage or roller frame

These are the structures that hold the rollers, so if one decides to pick a roller, this would also be an essential tool. Picking one that is sturdy and durable would go a long way as far as investments go.

3. Paint tray

Most of the paint can be carried and picked directly from the pail, but if you are looking for an even spread of paint, a paint tray is a way to go. It can easily accommodate large rollers and help in loading and mixing paints. Investing in a metal tray will also make the cleaning much easier.

4. Paintbrushes

Probably the most obvious tool for any painting job would be a trusty paintbrush. This would be the bread and butter of the entire work and one must make sure a good quality brush is picked out.

Make sure nylon bristles are used only with latex paints and not oil-based paints. There is a varying range of sizes and angles to choose from based on comfort. If you are someone who is venturing out into this field, it would be wiser to learn more about the cost of professional painting per square unit.

5. Paint pail or bucket

It serves the same purpose as a tray but it can hold a lot more paint and can be used for mixing larger quantities. Picking one with a sturdy handle would be of benefit as it would increase the stability while painting. They are also available with a magnetic brush holder to prevent the brush from falling inside.

6. Step ladder

This one goes without saying. While painting a surface, there would definitely be spots that are way too high to reach. While an extension would help, there is nothing like the stability that is offered by a ladder. So, pick a firm and stable ladder, which is size appropriate.

7. Dropcloth

While painting surfaces, we are bound to spill on the floor. Worst case scenario, the entire pail drops over the floor. The only way to reduce your workload while painting is to use a washable drop cloth to cover the floors and surfaces. There are some special drop cloths that are reusable and also provide additional grip. So, this would automatically prevent the tipping of a paint bucket.

8. Roller extension pole

These poles of variable lengths can be attached to the paint roller while trying to cover high surfaces and ceilings.it is again recommended to have at least two sizes for a more comfortable range. A stepladder would do the same job but if you are not one to be comfortable painting from a height, an extension pole could be used alternatively.

9. Painter’s tape

This becomes a secret weapon in almost every professional painter’s toolbox. It helps cut corners and give a sharp finish without having to go slow at these areas. There are premium quality tapes that do not leave the slightest of signs of tape glue and these are highly recommended. Unless you are an expert painter who can cut clean corners and have sharp edges, this tool can save a lot of time and give a beautiful finish.

10. Clean up tools

Cleaning a brush would be a painstakingly long process without these. A wire brush can be a game-changer in cleaning off dried paint, especially if you want them to last as long as possible.

Without this, a comb can also be used, but it is preferable to use the comb to just straighten the fibers and the wire-brush to remove paint. Another cleaning tool is a rag. Seems like a no-brainer but not all rag clothes would work. A white one is preferred as a colored cloth can end up bleeding its color onto the painted wall.

Now that we’ve picked up the essentials, there are a few more tools that are not essential but would make work easy nonetheless. These are especially recommended for someone who is just starting out in this field.

1. Painter’s pants

No, they are not magical pants that automatically make you paint better, they are comfortable pants with large pockets that could hold brushes, phones, and other tools so that you don’t need to keep bending down.

2. Light source

A good light source can increase the precision of your work tenfold. A portable light source is more of a requirement in areas that are darker and don’t have their own source of light.

3. Gloves

It goes without saying that painting is a messy job. If you are not a big fan of splatters of paint on your hands, a pair of gloves would make it so much easier to clean up after. Gloves do take some getting used to but that comes along with time. Many professionals also prefer to cut off the fingers to maintain dexterity while painting and still protect the hands.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, folks. These are the tools in your arsenal that can change the entire painting game. However, just like any other profession, getting a clean and beautiful paintwork requires time and patience. So, get started and keep at it, and before you know it, you would also be a professional painter!