LECTURE 12: Painting tools

Painting tools are those facilities needed when painting activities are carried out. Tools generally used in
painting activities are of two types namely Painting hand tools and painting machines.

Painting hand tools

These include those manually operated tools while painting activities is carried out. Painting hand tools
include the following.

Dust sheet basically this is a large piece of cloth put down so any stray paint gets on it instead of the
floor or furniture. The figure below shows how a dust cloth is applicable in painting works.

Extension pole (Roller extension pole) This pole is normally used with roller to allow high ceiling and
wall areas to be rolled without using scaffolding. Some extension poles can hold brushes and roller handles
on a threaded swivel head and have a threaded base for attachment to similar extension poles for extra
length.

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Paint roller is a tool for painting larger areas/ spaces. It can also be used for texture painting. The
standard roller is made up of an open framed cylinder that rotates on a spindle attached at right angles to
a handle. Rollers are available in widths from 80mm up to 460mm.

Roller sleeve (roller cover) these are designed to fit tightly over the roller cylinder. Covers are offered
in a variety of widths to accommodate various frame configurations. To hold the paint, the surface is coated
with either natural or synthetic fibres or "piles" ranging in length from 6mm to 40mm. The type and length
of the pile are chosen to complement the type of paint and surface finish being applied. Figure below shows
typical roller sleeves used in painting operations.

Roller tray are containers designed to hold paint. They feature a ribbed, non-skid sloping bottom that
makes filling the roller easy. Trays hold approximately three litres of paint.

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Paint stirrer is a stiff metal blade housed in a hardwood or plastic handle. The blade has holes placed
along its length to enable the oil and pigment to disperse and come together as a mixture. The stirrer is
used to agitate settled paint back to its correct liquid thickness before application by brush or roller.

Paint brush is a brush used for painting surfaces or applying paint or ink on surfaces. The figure below
shows a paintbrush made by clamping the bristles to a handle with a ferrule. These brushes are available
in various sizes, shapes, and materials.

Dusting Brush This is used to remove dust and dirt from surfaces before painting.

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Wire Brush This is composed of stiff wires for removing rust on metal surfaces before application of the
paint. The figure below shows a wire brush commonly used for removing rust on metal surfaces.

Brush keeps This is used to keep brushes wet by excluding air from the container. In a bottle fitted with
an evaporation wick, a solvent is put. The evaporating solvent vapors replace the air in the container,
preventing the paint on the brushes from drying out. It saves money, labour, and resources that would
otherwise be spent on brush cleaning.

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Painters’ tape This can be used in a variety of ways. You can use it to make lines or patterns on the area
ready for painting. It is also excellent for applying trim and other areas where you don't want paint to go
on while painting work is in progress.

Sandpapers These are for smoothing surfaces. The process of smoothing a surface with sandpaper is
called sanding.

Sanding block This is used in conjunction with sandpaper to smooth surfaces. When working a sandpaper
is wrapped around a sanding block to give you greater control of the sandpaper

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Ladder This is a series of vertical or inclined stairs. Ladder is used to support the painting work, if the
painting is being done at a high elevation. Different type of ladders are used in painting jobs. They enable
painters and decorators to reach greater heights.

Scaffolding is also used to support the painting work if the painting is being done at a high elevation. Just
like a ladder, scaffolds also enable painters and decorators to reach greater heights. Consider the figure
below showing a sample of a scaffold used in painting operations.

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Paint Kettles and Scuttles these are containers like buckets made to hold the paint. They can hold about
15 litres of paint. It’s important to choose a paint vessel that is small enough to carry easily, but large
enough to hold sufficient paint for your needs.

Paint kettle Paint scatters

Putty knife this is used to press putty or other stopping materials into small holes or gaps. Keep in mind
that, “if the point of the blade becomes worn or burred over, it should be reground”.

Stripping knife or Scraper, This is used to remove wallpaper, old paint, and other loose materials from
walls and surfaces. The figure below shows a typical scraper used for stripping off the old paints,loose
materials, etc.

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Self check

i. Define the term hand tool as related to painting activities.

ii. Distinguish between Painting kettle and scutter

iii. What is importance of scaffolds as related to decorative works

iv. What is the sandpaper?