Only The Best Painting Tools Will Do

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A survey Done For This Article Found These To Be The Best DIY Painting Tools

Have you noticed in the paint store there are new painting tools coming out all the time.

Only a few of them made it to the top 13 list here.

The ones that did make it will make your painting life far easier and faster.

1. The Sturdy Aluminum Bench

Everyone who tries this sturdy aluminum bench wants one. We use it as a temporary paint mixing and pouring platform, stand on it to cut in along the ceiling, and sit on it during coffee breaks. It's lightweight and folds up flat for easy storage. It's a good value, too. You can pick one up at home centers for about $45.

One step up from this would be the small rolling scaffold used by many pros. It is 4′ long and is adjustable in height, has a safety rail on 3 sides and a tool shelf at one end. Cost about $100 to $150. I recommend the 5′ high model.

2. Easy Clean Chinex Brush

The editors here love Chinex bristle paintbrushes. But it’s not just us. Our set builder doesn’t use anything else. And the pros we talked with agree that paintbrushes made with Chinex bristles are nearly perfect. They work equally well for oil-base and water-base paints. But the best feature of Chinex bristles is how easy they are to clean. Cost $15 to $20.

3. A Better Edge Painting Tool

If you don’t paint every day, “cutting-in” a room can be frustrating. It’s no wonder there have been so many attempts over the years to make a tool that simplifies the task. The Accubrush edge-painting tool is one of the best we’ve tried. It makes cutting-in quick and easy. With just a little practice, you can paint perfectly straight lines along ceilings and moldings. You’ll still have to finish some areas with a brush, though, since the tool can’t paint right up to adjacent edges. Go to painthelpers.com to see a video of how it works and to purchase the tool. Prices range from $40 to $125 depending on the kit you choose.

I own this tool and it works great when you have a smooth ceiling (you don't get a straight line with stipple). It needs at least a 3/8″ edge on casing and baseboard for the rollers to role on. So it doesn't work on most housing baseboards. We used it on a small commercial repaint a while back and it sped up our cut in time by a factor of 2. It's a good tool to have in your tool kit.

4. Pro Masking Tool

The 3M Hand-Masker is popular with painting contractors because it provides a fast, affordable and convenient way to cover trim or walls with masking tape, paper and plastic to keep the paint off. But these masking machines aren’t just for pros. If you do a lot of painting and are looking for a quick way to protect woodwork, doors, windows and cabinets from paint spatters, check these out. The least expensive version (shown here) costs about $20. It comes with a 6-in. blade that can be extended to 12 in. These Hand-Maskers hold a roll of masking tape and a roll of paper and apply the tape to the edge of the paper as you pull it out. You use the blade to cut the paper and tape to the desired length. You can even buy a roll of super-thin plastic sheeting and use that instead of paper to cover walls or other large areas. You’ll find 3M Hand-Maskers at paint stores, home centers and on online.

5. Handy Paint Pail

We tried all kinds of paint containers and came to a unanimous conclusion: Nothing beats the Handy Paint Pail because it has a comfortable, stretchy rubber handle that makes the pail easy to hold with one hand. Better yet, a magnetic brush holder lets you suspend the brush in paint when it’s not in use so the bristles don’t dry out. And disposable liners are available so you can avoid the messy job of cleaning the paint pail once you’re done. You’ll find the Handy Paint Pail ($10) at home centers, hardware stores and paint stores.

6. Hot Paint Stripper

7. Easy Off Roller Frame

8. Versatile Brush Comb

9. Speedy Roller Cleaner

The Rejuv-a-Roller is so easy to use that we don’t mind cleaning roller covers. Instead of buying cheap roller covers and throwing them away, we can buy top-quality covers and reuse them. Here’s how it works: Slip the roller cover into the tube and plug the end. Then connect the hose to a faucet and turn on the water. When the water runs clear from the bottom holes, the roller is clean. If you own a roller spinner, you can speed up drying and fluff the roller nap by giving it a quick spin. But it’s not necessary. For more product and ordering information go to timelessinnovations.com or search online for Rejuv-a-Roller (about $25).