Paint and Painting Supplies

Prepare, coat, apply, protect: how a painting job breaks down

A painting job has four stages, and the area is organized around them. Preparation covers filling, sanding and sealing joints with caulk. Coatings include primer, paint and stain. Application means brushes, rollers and sprayers. Protection means covering floors and furniture. Begin by choosing the coating, because it sets the tools: paints, primers and stains come first, then painting tools and sprayers to put them on.

Match the coating to the surface and the room. Interior walls take water-based latex or acrylic paint, which dries quickly, has low odor and cleans up with water. Metal and exterior wood often call for rust-preventive or oil-based enamel, with a primer for bare surfaces. Sheen runs from flat, which hides flaws, to gloss, which is tough and washable, and the label gives the recoat time.

Quantities and sizes: settle these before you open a can

Work out the quantity first. A gallon of paint typically covers about 350 to 400 square feet of smooth wall for one coat, less on rough or porous surfaces. Multiply wall area, minus doors and windows, by the number of coats, and divide by the coverage on the label. Primer is separate. Cans are sold in ounces, quarts, gallons and five-gallon pails, so the label unit matters.

Tool sizes follow the same logic. A 9 inch roller covers walls quickly, an 18 inch frame suits big flat areas, and a 2 to 2-1/2 inch angled brush cuts in at edges. Nap length, the pile on the cover, should suit the surface: short for smooth, longer for rough. Tarps and drop cloths protect floors; caulk fills gaps before painting, and each has its own section in this area.

Questions about Paint and Painting Supplies

How much paint do I need for a room?

Measure the wall area, subtract doors and windows, multiply by the number of coats and divide by the coverage on the can, often 350 to 400 square feet per gallon. Add a little extra for touch-ups and rough surfaces, and plan primer separately if needed.

When is primer necessary?

Use primer on bare wood, new drywall, patched areas, stained surfaces, glossy surfaces and for big color changes. It improves adhesion and evens out the finish so the topcoat covers in fewer coats. Some paints include primer, but they are not a substitute on problem surfaces.

Should I choose oil-based or water-based paint?

Water-based paint dries faster, smells less and cleans up with water, so it suits most walls and trim. Oil-based enamel gives a hard, smooth finish on metal and trim but dries slowly and needs solvent cleanup. Do not paint water-based over oil-based without proper prep.