When you are DIY-ing, there can be such an array of items at the store that you are not quite sure which items you will need for your project. If you are new to DIY we have put together these suggestions of what you will need for a number of common painting projects around your home. Most items, if looked after well, can be used on future projects too and will build up a home toolkit.
A Furniture Upcycle Kit
These are our suggestions for what you will need if you want to upcycle some old, perhaps previously varnished, wooden furniture.
Dust Sheet, Sandpaper, Paint, Brushes, Finishing Wax.
- Keep your surroundings paint and dust free by protecting with a suitable dust sheet. Simply allow any spilt paint to dry on, then put through a wash ready to use again. https://www.coloursupplies.com/prodec-cotton-twill-dust-sheet-12-x-9
- If required, sand off any old, worn decorative finish. This roll has the highest grit rating meaning it will give you the smoothest end result. For a more abrasive sanding choose a lower 'P' number. These rolls are very economical and should last for many other projects. https://www.coloursupplies.com/indasa-rhynolite-yellowline-p240-abrasive-sandpaper-5m-roll
- Wipe item clean.
- Your choice of paint. Perhaps this Chalky Furniture paint from Rustoleum. https://www.coloursupplies.com/rust-oleum-chalky-finish-furniture-paint-belgrave
- As this is a water based paint you will get a better finish using a synthetic paint brush, such as https://www.coloursupplies.com/fit-for-the-job-diamond-paint-varnish-brush-set. Wash brushes thoroughly in water after use, and store carefully to keep bristles from splaying.
- If required sand off areas that would naturally get worn, on your newly painted piece, to acquire an immediate 'aged' look
- Keep your newly restored furniture looking as good as it does now, or add extra depth, using a finishing wax such as https://www.coloursupplies.com/johnstones-finishing-wax-clear
5 items ✓ Approx. price under £41
Walls and Ceiling Kit
These are our suggestions for what you may need if you are doing a freshen-up of your walls or ceiling.
Dust Sheets, Masking Tape, Filler, Sandpaper, Filling Knife, Paint, Roller, Brush.
- You'll want to protect your floors and move any furniture to the middle of the room and cover that too. These are both useful options for protecting against large spills of paint. https://www.coloursupplies.com/prodec-polythene-dust-sheet-roll-2m-x-50m and https://www.coloursupplies.com/rodo-protector-dust-sheet-12-x-9
- Masking tape may seem like an extra step but it really speeds up painting edges if you are not experienced at getting straight lines. Apply around any edges, skirting or items like sockets and switches, that you want to keep clear of paint. https://www.coloursupplies.com/masking-tape-38mm
- If you have any holes in your plasterwork, now is a great time to fill them before your new coat of paint goes on. Something like this fine surface filler would be great https://www.coloursupplies.com/polycell-fine-surface-polyfilla
- Use a filling knife https://www.coloursupplies.com/prodec-flexible-filling-knife-2 or old credit card to apply.
- After filling any holes, use your fine surface sandpaper to smooth over before commencing painting https://www.coloursupplies.com/indasa-rhynolite-yellowline-p240-abrasive-sandpaper-5m-roll
- Choose your paint. With a myriad of options available it may come down to what features you want from your paint. This Dulux Washable and Tough is a great all-rounder for your walls, especially if you have children around. https://www.coloursupplies.com/dulux-easycare-matt-emulsion-blush-pink A pure brilliant white paint is often the most popular choice for ceilings.
- Using a roller makes application of paint over a large area so much quicker. This is a great starter set. https://www.coloursupplies.com/hamilton-for-the-trade-medium-9-roller-3pc-set
- You will also want a brush to help 'cut-in' around the edges, and a synthetic brush for emulsion paint (water-based) is perfect. This set comes with an additional FREE angled brush which really helps with edges https://www.coloursupplies.com/prodec-trojan-5pc-paint-brush-set-with-free-angled-brush
8/9 items ✓ Approx. price under £107
Shed or Fence Painting Kit
These are our suggestions for what you will need if you are painting a shed or fence.
Paint, Brush/Roller.
- Choose your paint from the various options available; how much area you have to cover, and the colour you want, will determine your choice of paint. Any of these options could be good for you https://www.coloursupplies.com/search?search_term=fence+paint
- A specialist Fence or Shed brush (block brush) is wide and thick to hold more paint going onto rough wood. You may also like to use a roller for some parts, so this double set is ideal. https://www.coloursupplies.com/fit-for-the-job-shed-and-fence-roller-set
2 items ✓ Approx. price under £21
Tile Renovation Kit
These are our suggestions for what you will need if you plan to paint over tiles in your kitchen or bathroom.
Grout Cleaner, Masking Tape, Specialist Tile Paint, Roller.
- Before you start you'll want to clean up any nasty old mouldy grout. Use a product like this https://www.coloursupplies.com/hg-ready-to-use-grout-cleaner
- Having given the whole area a good clean and dried it off with a cloth, you'll want to mask off the edges with tape to give a good straight line and prevent accidental encroachment onto worktops, basins or wall areas. Don't forget to mask off any light switches too. https://www.coloursupplies.com/masking-tape-38mm
- Always use a specialist Tile Paint, or a good multi surface paint that works on tiles. The last thing you want after all your hard work is for the paint to start peeling off again within weeks of your efforts. Try something like this - available in a variety of colours https://www.coloursupplies.com/johnstones-revive-tile-paint-white
- Generally you'll want to use a small roller with no pile to give a beautiful smooth result for your transformation. With this set you also get a large roller suitable for doing walls and ceilings https://www.coloursupplies.com/prodec-icefusion-paint-roller-set-9-and-4
4 items ✓ Approx. price under £43
Metal Reviving Kit
Possibly the easiest project of all - yes, really! These are our suggestions for what you may need if you plan to revive metal garden furniture, railings, a metal swing frame, garage door etc.
Dust Sheet, Sandpaper, Spray Paint or Liquid Specialist Metal Paint, (Brush).
- Depending on your project you may need to protect underlying paving or pathway from drips, in which case think about a dust sheet https://www.coloursupplies.com/prodec-cotton-twill-dust-sheet-12-x-9
- If you have flaking paint to remove first, you may need a medium grit sandpaper https://www.coloursupplies.com/indasa-rhynolite-yellowline-p120-abrasive-sandpaper-5m-roll
- The easiest of all ways to apply your paint if you don't have to worry about spray drifting is with a specialist spray paint for metals such as https://www.coloursupplies.com/rust-oleum-combicolor-aerosol-jet-black or choose a liquid paint such as https://www.coloursupplies.com/hammerite-direct-rust-metal-paint-hammered-finish-silver
- If using liquid paint you'll generally need a brush (or roller for larger surfaces such as a garage door) https://www.coloursupplies.com/fit-for-the-job-profesional-paint-varnish-3-brush-set
4 items ✓ Approx. price under £32 or 2 items ✓ Approx. price under £17
You will find a really useful blog about 'painting your outside metalwork quickly and easily' here.
Colour Supplies started as a family-run DIY and paint store over 50 years ago. With three Home and Garden stores situated in Wrexham, Wales, and Oswestry and Whitchurch in Shropshire, you will find a wealth of items to not only help with DIY, but for all around your home and garden. With friendly staff on hand to help with your queries, you can also buy a selection of products in our online store. Click the image below for all DIY available online.
Note, any pricing and items mentioned above are subjest to price changes and availabilty. This blog offers a general overview of basic requirements but in no way covers every eventuality when you start on a DIY project around your home.
Images are for illustrative purposes and items are not to scale. Pricing reflects items shown in pictures, although other choices are available and may be cheaper. Pricing does not cover the cost of any additional paint you may require.
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