Painting accessories

Painting the interior of a house is a task that is within the abilities of the average do-it-yourselfer. With a minimum of organization, brushes and rollers, you should be able to radically alter the appearance of your home in no time at all.

Paintbrushes and rollers are available in different qualities. It goes without saying that quality accessories are likely to yield more beautiful finishes while easing the application of paint.
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Paintbrushes
Rollers
Trimmers
Other painting accessories

Paintbrushes

Good paintbrushes feature solidly attached bristles that ease accurate cutting. Choose natural bristles for oil paint, synthetic for latex.

We recommend paintbrushes that are 3 in. (76 mm) wide for cutting and 2 in. (50 mm) for mouldings. Bear in mind that comfort is paramount, particularly when it comes to choosing between flexible and rigid bristles, the shape of the brush (straight or bevelled) or the type of brush (regular or foam). Don't hesitate in choosing the brush with which you are most comfortable.

Rollers

The size of the area to be painted dictates the choice of rollers. Short-pile rollers (5 mm) are preferred for glossy alkyd paint, medium-pile rollers (10-15 mm) for flat alkyd paints and for all latex paints, and long-pile rollers (20-30 mm) are for stucco.

In addition to conventional-width rollers (9 in. or 228 mm) used for walls and ceilings, 7 in. (178 mm) rollers are very practical for closets. Mini-rollers (3 or 4 in. - 76 or 100 mm) and corner rollers are used for hard-to-reach areas.

Trimmers

If you're not prepared to risk cutting with a paintbrush, you can use one of many applicator pads or cutters that are available on the market (windows, interior corners, rough surfaces, etc.) to facilitate that very necessary part of the job.
  • The easy trimmer: a trimming pad with guide wheels that can be used around windows, door mouldings and baseboards. You can use it to apply all types of paint, varnish and enamel.
  • The window trimmer: made for small flat surfaces. With guide wheels. Can be used with all types of paint, stain, varnish and enamel.
  • The trimming kit: made to apply paint, varnish, enamel or stain around staircase balusters, crown mouldings and rough iron balusters.
  • The corner trimmer: angle-cut pad for precision work. Can be used with all types of paint, varnish and enamel.
  • The indoor pad: thin foam for trimming.
  • The outdoor pad: pad with thicker foam than the indoor one.
  • The pad for rough surfaces: the front and back edges are curved so it can be pushed as well as pulled.
  • The pad for wood finishing: similar to the indoor pad.

Other painting accessories

Rollers can be fitted with telescopic handles that will allow you to reach high surfaces such as cathedral ceilings. In many cases, the telescopic handle can replace ladders and scaffolding.

Among other accessories you may wish to purchase: paint containers (for either rollers or applicator pads), paint buckets (for paint brushes), paint scrapers, sandpaper, flexible edgers for mouldings and baseboards, masking tape, etc.
Now you have all the proper accessories. With the right paint you have all you need to go ahead with your painting plans.
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