Tools and equipment for painting and decorating
Few specialised tools are needed for wall and ceiling paintwork. If you are content to work with only a brush you will require two sizes: one larger one for the bulk of the work, and a smaller brush for working into corners. It is worth decanting quantities of paint into a paint kettle which is easier to carry around than large heavy cans.
Rollers make the job of painting large areas of wall or ceiling much quicker and also help to achieve a better finish. But you will still need a small brush for working into corners and for dealing with coving, cornices etc. To prepare a new fibre roller for painting, soak it in soapy water for 2 to 3 hours to get rid of any loose bits of fibre, then roll it out on the wall to dry it off.
One point to remember: if you intend using silk vinyl emulsion paint, it’s best not to use a roller as this tends to show up as a stippled effect on the silk surface. Large paint pads will also enable you to cover big expanses of wall or ceiling very quickly. You can use a brush or a small paint pad for work in corners. Apart from these paint application tools you’ll need a variety of other items for preparing the surfaces so they’re ready for the paint. The walls must be cleaned, so you’ll need washing-down equipment: sponges, cloths, detergent, and a bucket or two of water.
You’ll need filler for cracks and a filling knife about 75mm (3in) wide. When any filler is dry it will need to be sanded down, so have some glasspaper – sandpaper ready for wrapping round a cork sanding block. A scraper will also be needed if old wallpaper has to be stripped from the walls. Finally, because of the height of the walls and ceiling, you’ll need access equipment, such as a stepladder, to enable you to reach them safely and comfortably.