Interior painting supplies checklist

With the change in the seasons comes the homeowner's overwhelming desire to change the home's interior. What affects more change than a fresh coat of paint? Cost-effective and simple to do -- and just as easy to do alone as it is to do it with a group -- interior painting can be a short weekend day project. There are seven interior painting supplies that are a must-have for any job. It's a good thing that Walmart's online paint supplies department carries them all!

1. 5-in-1 Painter's Tool

This useful little gadget removes putty, opens up cracks for quick clean-out, spreads spackle and scrapes old paint from rollers. Use this tool to break the seal of inexpertly closed paint cans and rejuvenate the can rim to once again tightly close the paint against the elements. Rely on this 5-in-1 tool to greatly reduce paint tray clutter.

2. Multi-surface Painter's Tape

I once had a professional painter assure me that he didn't need painter's tape. He was certain of his steady hand. Needless to say, I ended up repainting the ceiling corners with the help of tape for a straight, crisp edge. It doesn't matter if the tape is beige, blue, or green; as long as it is labeled for multi-surface use, it is an absolute must for a precise painting job.

3. Paint Eater

Granted, an $82 gadget may seem like a rather hefty investment for the occasional painting hobbyist. After you notice just how much time you save by not having to chip away at peeling paint and then apply sandpaper -- just so that you can thereafter smooth the wall -- you, too, will enthusiastically spend this kind of money. The Wagner Paint Eater is a premier gadget that performs all these tasks in one step. Its use for uneven walls and surfaces is certain to endear the gadget to painting enthusiasts everywhere.

4. Turbo Roll Paint Applicator

If the back-breaking labor of dipping, rolling, stretching, rolling and repeating is too much, consider the Wagner Turbo Roll Paint Applicator. This is not a tool you would necessarily want for a small job, but I have found that most paint jobs seem to bloom into larger projects anyways. With this gadget, it is possible to automatically apply paint to surfaces as tall as eight-foot ceilings without needing a ladder. Running on four AA batteries, attaching it to the paint can is a snap. Better yet, one set of batteries sees you through a 70-square-foot project.

5. Paint Mixer

I'm not a big fan of the free wooden stir sticks. They are great for craft projects with the kids, but they don't work so well when it comes to stirring the paint. Occasionally something flakes off into the paint, the stick is too short or the paint sticks to the stirrer too much. The 17.5 inch Hyde paint mixer, on the other hand, is a professional-grade tool that makes paint mixing a snap.

6. Wagner Power Paint Sprayer

Paint brushes are so yesterday (kind of like that old paint in your living room). Mind you, even an easy tool like the Wagner Power Paint Sprayer takes a little getting used to. There are three spray patterns, a controllable flow and a 1.5 quart refillable cup to manage. Once you make it past the learning curve, there are no more visible brush strokes and forgotten paint bristles stuck to the wall.

7. Alltrade Air Brush Kit

If you love to use stencils to add leaves, flowers, and other whimsical decor, the Alltrade Air Brush Kit is a great tool. Steady paint flow makes for an even coat of decorative touches, which greatly enhances the look of a mural or even just a stand-alone decorative item.

Source

Walmart: "Paint & Home Decor"

Written by Sylvia Cochran.