Faux painting is a way to achieve extraordinary decorating effects, yet it isn't expensive and you don't need to splash out on piles of gadgets and specialist equipment. Save your money for quality paints. You might want a few extras, such as stencils for some finishes, but you may already have most or all of the equipment you need. Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need before you start. Running out is frustrating and some paint finishes need to be completed in one session. Preparation for Painting Paint Wear: Wear loose, comfortable clothes and shoes with non-slip soles. Headgear is advisable - paint has a way of getting into hair and staying there. Flooring Protectors: If your room is carpeted, make sure the floors are covered well against splashes and spills. Newspaper and plastic are a less desirable option. Plastic is slippery and sheets of paper shift about and stick infuriatingly to the soles of your shoes. Fabric coverings absorb paint and though old sheets might do, your best bet is a closely woven canvas drop cloth designed for the purpose. They are reusable and well worth the investment. Spackling Compound/ Putty / Filler: To plug holes and smooth out cracks or other imperfections, Go for a quick-drying kind. Apply with a putty or palette knife and smooth off with different grades of sandpaper. Masking Tape: You'll probably need sticky paper tape to mask areas that you want to keep clean, such as door and window frames. Tape also helps you achieve straight lines with clean edges and is essential if your design consists of stripes. Tools and Equipment Ladder: Unless you're painting floors and furniture, you'll probably need a ladder. Aluminum ladders are light and maneuverable. It helps if your ladder has a shelf for your paint container, or use a 'painter's assistant' to secure your tin to the ladder. Especially with a light ladder, make sure your paint tin is not too heavy or it might topple the ladder. Stir Sticks: If not supplied with the paint, avoid garden sticks unless you want bits of twig and bark in your paint finish. Bucket: Paint can be mixed in a bucket or tray, but a bucket also helps keep your painting paraphernalia organized in one place, instead of scattered over the floor. Paints: Probably your most important purchase if you are embarking on a faux painting project. Buy the right paint for the job and go for the best you can afford for maximum results. Paint Applicators: You may need different brushes for different tasks, but a good multi-purpose brush is one with 6mm (2") angled bristles. Bristles shed from cheap brushes so this is another area where you shouldn't skimp. Other applicators are necessary for some techniques. Sponges are used for color washing. Car washing sponges are ideal for this task. Paint rollers, with the nap matched to the task in hand, help you cover large surfaces quickly. Skins - liners for your paint tray - are disposable and will save you cleaning time. Misc. Accessories A general purpose knife and a blade will be useful for various tasks, from cutting masking tape to removing unwanted paint from windows. You may need to remove wall fittings so have a screwdriver to hand (also useful for opening paint tins). Cleaning It Up Cleaning rags: Almost any old scrap will do as long as it's colorfast. Rags aren't just for brush cleaning - you might need them for spills and splashes. Don't worry about special brush-cleaning compounds. Dishwashing liquid will do the job, even on cream stencils that are partly oil-based. You may have one or two additional requirements, such as stencils, depending on the particulars of your project, but you do not need fancy equipment to achieve your aims. Resist the gadgets and gimmicks and keep it simple.
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