How to Pick the Right Painting Supplies

It's possible to use the same brush for all applications, but you'll see: with the wrong brush, the work is likely to take much longer and be more difficult in some places. Here's how to choose the right brush for the area to be painted: 

Size

Shape

• Long, Very Slim Handle with Pointed Tip: Ideal for precision work, it can be held like a pencil.
• Long, Slim Handle with Rounded Tip: It sits comfortably in the hand and can be used for a wide range of applications.
• Standard-Length Handle, Curved in the Middle: The most comfortable model, used for painting large surfaces.
• Short Handle, Curved in the Middle: It fits in the palm of your hand and is very handy in tight spaces where a longer handle would be in the way. This shape is typical of stain brushes.

• Inspect the bristle tips. A natural-bristle brush should have split tips and a synthetic brush should have fuzzy-looking tips.
• Choose brushes with tapered, chisel-shaped bristles rather than flat ones.
• Tap the stainless steel or aluminum band on the brush, known as the ferrule, and see if any bristles fall out. The ferrule should be wrapped tightly enough to keep the bristles secure. Check that the ferrule isn’t rusty as well, as this can alter the paint’s colour.

• Woven Rollers Covers (Including Microfibre): They offer a smooth finish and produce less lint. They produce an even coverage with any type of paint.
• Knit Roller Covers: By retaining and releasing more paint, they provide more even coverage more quickly. They are the best option for primers, stains, and sealers.
• Foam Roller Covers: They produce a very smooth finish and are suitable for all types of paint. They are generally less durable than woven and knit rollers.

• Mini Rollers (4-6"): ideal for tight spaces and for painting mouldings, door frames, railings, furniture, kitchen cabinets, etc.
• Standard Rollers (9"): ideal for most walls and ceilings.
• Wide Rollers (10-18"): ideal for large walls and ceilings, but also for floor coatings.

• Pneumatic Units: They use compressed air to spray the paint, which means that you’d need an air compressor. Paint also needs to be thinned to avoid waste or clogging.
• Airspray Units: Also known as HVLP (high volume low pressure) units, they combine a large quantity of air with the desired covering material. The low pressure allows smooth coverage with very little overspray. They're best used for smaller areas where a glossy smooth finish is desired, such as shutters and cabinets.
• Airless Units: The most common type for the DIYers, paint is pushed under high pressure through an applicator tip, eliminating the need to reach for a bucket or tray to reload. Since the pressure is provided by a pump rather than air, overspray and waste are reduced. Airless sprayers are great for painting walls or other large areas, as well as smaller areas.
• Diaphragm Pumps: The basic homeowner/DIYer models use a simple diaphragm pump. The gravity feed ensures a smooth finish.
• Piston Pump: A piston pump enables the user to spray conventional coverings but can also deliver thicker liquids, such as block fillers.

• You’ll need some practice before using a power sprayer for the first time. Take a piece of cardboard and try to keep your hand steady while holding the applicator parallel to the area you want to paint.
• Drop cloths are a smart investment that will help keep your cleanup and rework to a minimum.
• Sprayers come in different sizes and power ratings for different purposes. Some models, for example, are only compatible with stains.