Having the correct tools to complete the job is an essential part of obtaining a professional and lasting finish. It is important to use good quality brushes and rollers as the budget range tend to be worn out before the job is completed. Cheaper brushes in particular have a tendency to loose bristles which will show in the finish of your paintwork and cheaper rollers will give you an intense orange peel effect in your finished paintwork. For a few extra pounds you can buy products that will last for several projects if they are cleaned well after use. There are many different types of brushes that are all designed for a particular use. My preference is to use angled brushes for cutting in, Sash brushes for window frames and quality professional brushes from 1-3 inches for larger areas such as doors. All of these brushes are available from most of the large DIY stores and also many trade decorating centres. The same can be said for sandpaper and masking tape. There are many different brands and qualities to choose from. Spend a few pounds extra and ultimately you will save money because the product does the job so much better. Cheap sandpaper will fall to pieces after minutes and cheap masking tape will not prevent paint penetration. My personal choice is decorator’s tape and aluminium oxide paper.

There are so many different paints and stains to choose from, varying from oil based to acrylic and emulsions. All of them have a specific use and are of varying quality.