Interior Painting: Complete Setup
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Painting a room is the most common DIY project, and the difference between an amateur job and a professional-looking result comes down to prep work. Spend 60% of your time on prep (cleaning, taping, patching) and 40% on painting. The right tools make both phases faster.
Cost Breakdown
Prep
Fill nail holes and small cracks with spackle before painting.
Smooth patched areas flush with the wall. 120-grit for spackle, 220-grit for final smoothing.
Blue tape for most surfaces. Green tape for delicate surfaces like fresh paint or wallpaper.
Cutting In
The tool that makes or breaks your edges. A good angled brush cuts a clean line along ceilings and trim.
A 4-foot step ladder reaches 8-foot ceilings comfortably. Borrow if you have one available.
Rolling
3/8" nap for smooth walls, 1/2" for light texture, 3/4" for heavy texture.
Metal trays last longer than plastic. Use a liner for easy cleanup.
Threads into the roller frame. Lets you roll a full wall without a ladder.
Only useful for large areas, new construction, or cabinets. Requires extensive masking. Borrow if you want to try it.
Consumables and Supplies
These get used up during the project. Always buy these new.
- Paint One gallon covers ~350 sq ft (one coat). Two coats is standard.
- Primer Required for new drywall, dark-to-light color changes, and stain blocking
- Spackle Lightweight spackle for nail holes, setting compound for larger patches
- Drop cloths Canvas for floors (stays put), plastic for furniture (lighter)
- Paint tray liners Faster cleanup than washing the tray
Safety Gear
- Safety glasses (for overhead work)
- Dust mask (sanding spackle)
Before You Buy Anything
Check if your neighbors already have the tools you need. Borrowing saves money, saves storage space, and keeps tools in use instead of collecting dust.
See how FriendsWithTools worksCommon Questions
How much paint do I need?
Measure the wall area (height x width for each wall, subtract windows and doors). One gallon covers about 350 square feet per coat. Plan for two coats. A 12x12 room with 8-foot ceilings needs about 2 gallons.
Expensive brushes vs cheap brushes: does it matter?
Yes. A $12-15 Purdy or Wooster angled brush holds more paint, lays it down smoother, and cuts a cleaner line than a $3 brush. For rollers, the difference is smaller. A $5 roller cover works fine.