Before you can start laying down color, you need to prepare your surfaces.  When you’re done, you’ve got to cleanup you mess, so your hard work can shine through.  Here's a list of the supplies you need for no one’s favorite steps.Caulk - For filling open crevices around doors and windows. Claw hammer - For removing nails and picture hangers, and also to knock in “nail pops” on drywall walls. Clean rags - These are necessary for quick cleanups during the paint job or after the project is over. Drop cloths - Protect floors and furniture with plenty of these cloths. Choices range from inexpensive plastic "throwaways," to more durable plastic-coated paper, to canvas. Galvanized nails - Make sure they’re long enough to pierce and store caulk tubes. Gloves - Rubber and latex or non-latex gloves will protect your hands from volatile chemicals. Masking tape - For protecting non-painted areas and holding down drop cloths. It works especially well on edges or corners where two different colors or finishes meet.

Mesh fabric tape - For sealing cracks with joint compound or spackle, and keeping the cracks from coming back. Mixing bucket - A 5-Gallon bucket is perfect for stirring paint from multiple cans. Paint hat – Keep paint out of your hair and eyes. Paint scrapers - Triangle and other shapes of paint scrapers help get cracked old paint out of your way. Paint strainers - In 1-gallon and 5-gallon sizes, they remove globs and particles that get into paint sometimes. Paint tray - As well as disposable paint-tray liners to pour the necessary paint to do the job without the hassle of a can. Patching compound - Either premixed or powder form, for repairing cracks and holes. Razor blades - Single edge blades will help you clean paint from glass and remove stubborn painter’s tape. Respirator – Fumes from paint, paint thinner, stripper and other solvents, plus particles from dust and sanding are all harmful to your health. A simple paper mask is not enough to protect you.

Sandpaper - Make sure to have in coarse, medium and fine grades. Scraper/Putty Knife - Necessary for applying compound, paint scraping, etc. Screwdrivers - Both Phillips and flathead for removing wall plates and door hardware. Masking or painting over such things can be done, but never gives the best-looking result. home decor diy projectsYour flathead screwdriver also comes in handy for opening paint cans.ideas for table settings & decor String or fine wire - For suspending and holding lighting fixtures out of the way.ways to decorate your home for christmas Tack rags - These sticky rags or cloths are perfect for picking up paint dust and scrapings.

Vacuum cleaner – A small “Dustbuster” hand held vacuum is great for window sills. A full size vacuum is essential after you sand and prep and before you paint. Wall cleaner and sponge/sponge mop - Clean surfaces of dust, cooking grease, soot or cigarette smoke prior to painting. Thorough cleaning ensures the best result.Edward Kimble, professional painter and author of Interior House Painting Blog, contributed to this article. Supply Checklist: Everything You Need to Paint a Room I've painted many rooms in my day (I'm a little bit of a painting junkie), and like so many other things, once you get the hang of the process it's really quite fun. Throw on some old clothes, kick out the jams, and after a few hours of good old physical labor, you'll have a wonderfully transformed space. Want to try something new with your paint? Learn from Mark Chamberlain: I've found that getting my supplies in order makes a big difference when the time comes to start painting.

Having all prep and paint supplies at the ready cuts down on frustration and helps the process move along more quickly. If you're getting ready to start your own painting project, here's a supply checklist that should cover everything you'll need. Before getting to the fun part, it's important to spend a few hours prepping your walls; patching holes, cleaning, and sanding are all important to achieving the best result. • Spackle & spatula - Use to patch any holes. • Metal paint scraper - Use to scrape off any peeling or cracking paint (if necessary) before sanding. • Fine grit sand paper - Use to even out rough texture and smooth down any bumps. • Mild soap & water solution - Use to clean any dirt or grease off walls before priming. • Painter's tape - Use to tape off borders so paint doesn't bleed into areas you are not painting; also use painter's tape to cover hardware and outlets. I really like Frog Tape, which I've found to work great to achieve clean edges.

• Canvas tarp or plastic drop cloth - Use to protect floors and furniture (if furniture cannot be moved out of the general painting area). I've even used old newspapers in a pinch, but wouldn't recommend if painting in a carpeted area. • Angled paint brush - Use to paint corners. Angled brushes help achieve clean edges without paint bleed, which can be tricky in corners if using a regular flat brush. • 3-inch flat paint brush - Use for "cutting in", which is the process of painting the border around the taped-off area. • Paint roller frame & roller covers - Use a roller for the majority of painting, since it's a much faster method than a brush. If you're painting a large room or a room with high ceilings, I would recommend using a painter's pole, which you attach your roller to for extended reach. * Note about roller covers: Make sure to choose an appropriate roller cover for your project. All covers are not made the same, as some are designed for smooth wall surfaces, others for stucco or brick, and yet others are designed for extra smooth surfaces like metal.

• Paint tray - Use to hold smaller portions of paint as you work. Also useful to avoid dipping brushes directly into paint cans, which can contaminate paint with dust and dirt. • Primer - Primer is an undercoat applied before color. If you are painting over an existing color, primer covers existing color and creates a blank slate so the new color will go on evenly and require less coats. Primer also contains binding properties that allow paint to adhere more evenly, so you can achieve a much more polished result in a shorter amount of time. Many paint brands now have the option of having primer mixed into the paint color, which can be a time-saving option. • Interior Paint - Finally, the fun part! Beyond choosing the color, there are different types of paint and each type is suited for different purposes. Flat paint is suited for low-traffic areas and ceilings, since it provides a dull, no-gloss finish and is harder to clean. Satin and Eggshell paints are suited for higher traffic areas (e.g., living and bedrooms) since they are easy to clean and offer light-reflective qualities that are desirable in most rooms.