Painting Tools & Materials

Discover a guide to the tools & materials involved with your painting.

Painting

The 7 Best Paintbrushes (2023 Review)

Paintbrushes come in many shapes and sizes to best fit the project you’re working on. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best paintbrushes available on Amazon to help you find the best option for your painting project. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

The 5 Best Glow-in-the-Dark Paints (2023 Review)

Glow-in-the-dark paint brings your art project to life when the lights are off. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best glow-in-the-dark paints on Amazon to help you find the one that’s right for you.

How to Use Less Caulk When Filling in Gaps

Painting expert Mauro Henrique shows host Kevin O’Connor a common mistake DIYers make when caulking and a helpful tip for avoiding it.

The 5 Best Paint Strippers (2023 Review)

Removing paint can be a hassle when you’re trying to do it by hand with a sander. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best paint strippers available on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

The 4 Best Chalk Paints (2023 Review)

Chalk paint gives your furniture a matte look, which fits perfectly with a rustic interior design. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the four best chalk paints on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

The 5 Best Paint Sprayers (2023 Review)

At-home paint sprayers help you achieve a high-quality paint job at a fraction of the price of a professional job. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best paint sprayers on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

10 Smart Tools for Your Next DIY Project

A new crop of warm-weather problem-solvers for your home.

5 Best Deck Paints (2023 Guide)

In this review and buying guide, our team recommends the best deck paints to fit a range of outdoor spaces, preferences, and climates.

The Ultimate Tool for Paint: 17-in-1 Painter’s Tool

In this latest version, the classic knife blade tackles more tasks than ever—and the handle gets put to use, too.

How to Choose a Good Paint Roller

In this DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique explains the different types of paint rollers and then demonstrates good rolling techniques.

How to Use a Paint Sprayer

Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique gives a tutorial on how to set up and work with a paint sprayer

How to Choose and Use Painter’s Tape

Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique explains the uses and techniques for different types of painter’s tape

Staining and Finishing Like a Pro

From choosing the right stain and finishing products to expert application tips, Nick Slavik shares his best practices to beautifying a wood deck, with the help of Behr coatings

Paint Spill? Don’t Panic

Spring into action while it’s still wet, and it’s likely that latex can be removed from almost any surface

How to Clean Paintbrushes Like a Pro

Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique demonstrates the most effective way to clean a paintbrush

Pro Paint Tips: Get the Most Out of Rolling

Three paint roller tips from Mauro Henrique

Pros' Tips for Cleaning and Storing Paint Tools

Experts reveal how to properly maintain your painting tools

How to Choose and Use Spray Paint

Quick tips for applying a flawless finish with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook

How to Choose and Use a Paint Roller

Paint rolling tools and tips with painting contractor Mark O'Lalor

Decoding the New Low-VOC Paints

Use these tips on single-coat, no-odor, fast-drying paints to get the most out of every gallon

Paint Sprayers

They can lay down everything from latex to lacquer—but no one sprayer can do it all

Stripping Painted Furniture

Sometimes ugly is only skin deep. Getting under those layers of old paint might reveal a valuable piece of furniture.

Using a Paint Roller Like a Pro

A bucket and screen trump a paint tray

Interior Paint Buying Guide

Color isn't your only choice when picking out a paint—should you use oil or latex, eggshell or matte, and what does low-VOC even mean? Here's a guide to decoding the various formulas and finishes available in paint today