I really dislike painting, but I'm gearing up to paint my entire house soon. I'm looking for some tips and tools that can make this daunting job a bit easier. I was considering using an 18" roller to speed up the process. Any suggestions? Thank you!
3 Answers
Definitely focus on preparation! Lay down drop cloths everywhere to catch any drips because paint seems to find its way into the smallest spaces. I'd recommend getting a foam edging pad attached to a pole for ease of use and employing roller wheel standoffs too. You'll probably end up using more paint than you think, so stock up!
A paint pouring tool can save you a lot of hassle when pouring from the can and keeping the rim clean. Also, consider using plastic bags or wrap for your roller trays and brushes if you need to take breaks or leave things overnight. It saves time on cleaning, although not without some risk of causing dried paint bits to mix in. And for cutting in, I found using a red solo cup to hold the paint works great for carrying a 2-inch brush. Plus, if you need to go high, a four-step ladder with a handrail can really help you balance!
Think about whether a paint sprayer is the way to go. If the house is empty, spraying can be efficient, but it does create a lot of fumes. If there’s furniture around, and you want to tackle different colors, rolling might be the better route as it avoids all that tedious taping and covering. Also, large rollers like the 18" ones can actually be clumsy and might not speed things up as much as you'd expect! Opt for quality brushes and disposable liners for less cleanup.
Exactly! I’ve tried different tools and found that good brushes are worth the investment while rolling is often quicker without the mess from spray guns.