Exterior Painting Tools and Supplies for House Painting

To put a durable coating on the exterior, here are some tools and supplies for help in getting there. As always, we place budget as a concern since most coatings are done for maintenance as well as aesthetic functions.


Ladders/Staging/Access - the standard step ladder for lower heights. For applying at raised levels; either extension ladders, or a pick and ladder jacks (becoming an older technique) or the erection of scaffolding where much concentrated work is to occur, or else an automated scissor lift or two-man lift where efficiency is priority (although most lift rentals start around $225 per day, making this a costly route, besides the fact that they need relatively-level ground from which to operate). A pair of ladder mitts helps protect the outside finish from marring.


Preparation

Cleaning - for attending to a light accumulation of dust, an old paint brush serves as a duster brush. But the pressure washer, normally 3,000 psi, for cleaning entire walls. Where there is unwanted growth or mildew, a solution to kill this which could be a pump sprayer for applying.

Paint Removal - the small, medium and wide hand scrapers as this applies. Have new spare blades for when they dull. A wire brush for removing light surface rust.

Caulking - a high grade exterior rated caulking compound, applied with a caulking gun having a swingout hole piercer. Injecting a bead around windows might require caulking as specified by the window manufacturer for adequate adhesion and sealing properties. With wiping rags and rinse bucket for latex-based applications, & solvent where recommended.

Hand Tools - a pair of pliers for pulling out errant nails, the 5 in 1 tool, a phillips screwdriver with both phillips and flat heads. A hammer for the resecuring of wood pieces.

Patches - wood; patching compound offering decent adhesion, protection from the elements, and flexural properties. Most of which won't sand level. For stucco; a cementitous-based patching compound including a dense sponge for blending it off.

Areas of Rust - the wire brush, emery cloth, and possibly an angle grinder and wire wheel accessory. Priming with rust inhibitive primer, such as a good red oxide solution.


Surface Protection

Tape & Masking - either white tape or blue tape - noting the expected hold times for each, exposure to sunlight/UV rays, and surface heat like if being stuck on a hot roof or window metal. The white tape representing the cheaper choice. A hand masker with rolls of either brown paper (normally for water based paints) or green paper (for solvent based paints). Fold away, masking film such as for shielding windows and doors if spraying the surface & this means snapping on a special masker blade besides the film itself.

Drop Cloths - generally clothes with a greater thread count that inhibit the transfer of the liquid paint through it (particularly for thinner paints). Runners such as 4' by 12' as well. Usually a good strategy is to use older drop cloths from painting the inside. Painting the Exterior

Painting Tools - brushes; wider sash brushes, such as 3 1/2" and 4 1/2" angular brushes, the 4" box brush for brushing out siding, and smaller brushes for detail work. A wire brush for cleaning out later. Thicker nap rollers, like 3/4" to 1 1/2" on rough stucco (possibly lambskin to prevent loss of fibers). Smaller roller cages like the 7" and under for rolling out siding. Not to forget, any solvents needed for the thinning and cleaning of tools and utensils during the process. If working out of open or previously-used containers, especially in times of heat or sunlight, where the paint tends to skin, paint strainers are an inexpensive method (under $2 each) for cleaning the paint.

Paint Buckets - a set of five gallon buckets (& grid) and smaller work pots to cut out of, along with a pot hook for while brushing off the ladder.


Miscellaneous

In addition, a pair of work gloves that offer some grip, some system of leveling any uneven ground - such as that attaching to the bottom of extension ladders, method(s) of tying oneself off for securing the painter at heights and roof pitches. And a method of marking the cans for future reference.

Final Cleanup - a high CFM vacuum for the cleanup of any strewn latex paint chips on the ground. Too, a razor tool for removing paint on glass windows.