After you complete a home painting project, I’m willing to bet you understand the difference between a good quality painting tool and a bad one. There’s nothing more frustrating than a brush that creates a sea of paint streaks or a roller that leaves lint behind.
If you can relate, you’re probably not surprised to hear that Purdy painting tools are my go-to tools for every aging-in-place paint project I do.
When you’re starting out as a DIYer, you have to keep things simple and use only the highest-quality tools to make every project easier. Purdy is the way to go. They’re the king of painting tools with a quality I haven’t found in other brands.
Before you throw a fresh coat of paint onto the walls of your aging-in-place home, read through this list of my favorite Purdy painting products so you have the best tools available for a professional-looking paint job.
Best Purdy Surface Prep Tools
The pros at Purdy often say how the most important step is usually the first. And they’re right. Before you start applying any paint to a wall or trim, preparing your surface is the key to getting the final look you want.
Purdy has several excellent prep tools that you can add to your toolbox to get a great final result in every room. Here are a few of my favorites.
You need a smooth surface to paint over. This is a heavy-duty scraper that’s meant for large dings in the wall where a swipe of sandpaper just won’t cut it.
This is my go-to painter’s tool for digging stubborn nails out of the wall and scraping off old paint before beginning a new paint project. It’s also perfect for lifting up the lid on a paint can, hammering the lid back on, and cleaning the roller. If you don’t have a similar tool, do yourself a favor and pick this up before you get started on your project.
Best Purdy Paintbrushes
When you’re buying a Purdy paintbrush you already know you’re getting a good quality brush. The next question is the width. You need to pick the right size paintbrush for your particular project.
How to pick the right size brush:
2 ½-inch Brush
This is a wider brush that is best for wide trim (over 3-inches). It’s usually too wide for thinner trim if you’re a DIYer and haven’t yet developed a steady paint hand like the professionals.
2-inch Brush
A 2-inch brush is, of course, smaller. But, for many people with smaller hands, it offers much more control. DIYers who don’t paint everyday usually find a 2-inch angled brush ideal for trim and corner work as they’re cutting in on each wall.
1 – 1 ½ -inch Brush
For most walls and trim paint projects, a 1-inch or 1 ½-inch brush is smaller than you need. But, smaller brushes give you more control which matters if you’re painting around fixtures or in tight spaces.
Next, pick the right type of brush bristle:
Go with synthetic bristles on your Purdy paintbrush if your paint can be cleaned with water. For oil-based paints, a natural bristle brush may be a better choice.
Synthetic bristle brushes come in a few material types: nylon, nylon polyester blends, and Chinex. If you’re just starting your DIY painting journey, a nylon polyester blend brush is a good place to start. It should create a smooth paint finish once your walls dry.
A Few of My Favorite Purdy Paintbrushes
2-Inch Nylon Angled Trim Brush
This is one of the best all-around trim brushes I’ve found. It’s angled which I prefer when painting trim and is easy to clean for repeated use.
If you have a bit more painting experience, this brush comes in a 2 ½-inch Angled Trim Brush size as well.
2-inch Nylon/Polyester Flat Trim Brush
If you prefer a flat edge, Purdy also makes a 2-inch flat trim brush. The only difference is preference. Choose the one that makes the job easiest for you.
3-Inch Nylon/Polyester/Chinex Blend Brush
When you’ve reached pro status and are ready to step up your painting game, this 3-inch brush is about as good as it gets. It’s made with a blend of nylon, polyester and chinex so you get a smooth paint finish and a brush that’s easy to clean.
Best Purdy Rollers and Rolling Accessories
Just like with brushes, there are different rollers for different types of paint and surface finishes.
First, choose the right nap length
Nap is another word for the roller cover’s surface material that holds the paint as you roll. The length of the nap determines how much paint your roller holds and how smooth of a finish you’ll be left with after the painting job is done.
For painting over new drywall, a shorter nap is best. Choose between a 1/4-3/8-inch nap so the roller doesn’t hold too much paint. If you’re painting over a wall that already has a coat or two of paint on it, you can go with a 3/8-5/16-inch nap. As a general rule, I advise using a quality 3/8-inch nap for all of your drywall surfaces.
Next, choose a roller cover meant for the type of paint you’re using. There are rollers made for latex paints, oil-based paints, and others.
A Few of My Favorite Purdy Roller Covers
This is a great roller cover for latex and oil-based paints. It’s Purdy so you don’t have to worry about the cover leaving lint behind. Use this cover and you’ll get a smooth, uniform finish.
If you’re using a mini roller for tight spaces, Purdy also makes mini rollers. This set gives you the 3/8-inch nap that I recommend in a roller size that fits just about anywhere.
When you’re ready to roll (literally), there are a few other Purdy painting tools you’re going to need.
Roller Tray and Roller Tray Liners
A sturdy metal rolling tray will last through all of your aging-in-place painting jobs. Use a liner tray to keep paints separate and your tray clean. And, do yourself a favor and buy a stack of trays so you’re always using a clean one for each new project.
Choose a roller frame and handle that’s strong but lightweight like this one from Purdy. Your arms will thank you later.
This spinning roller cleaner is a good tool when you need to clean your roller fast so it can dry and be ready for the next paint job. It also gives your roller a more thorough clean than if you were to use a scraper or just your hands.
As I said, make life easier on yourself as a DIYer. An extension pole for your roller is the perfect example. Don’t mess around trying to roll your walls while standing on an 8-ft ladder. Your paint won’t roll as evenly, not to mention you’ll spend half your time going up and down the ladder to get more paint. This professional-grade Purdy roller extension is the way to go.
Best Purdy Painting Kits
If you want to keep things simple, you can always pick up a Purdy painting tools kit and call it a day. I wouldn’t recommend buying a pre-assembled painting tools kit from any other company. But, you can trust that every Purdy tool is quality so you’re fine choosing the pre-fab route.
This kit is a smart way to go if you just need the basics. It includes the 3/8-inch nap roller and a 2-inch trim brush which are what you want as a DIY painter.
That’s It! You’re Ready to Paint
Grab each of your Purdy painting tools from this list and you’ll be ready to get to work. Painting your parent’s aging-in-place home is an important step in the renovation. The right paint color and contrast will make a difference in the safety of their home.
If you’re looking for painting tips for an aging-in-place home, you can read through my other recent DIY painting articles.
Related Reading:
“Tips for Applying High-Contrast Paint to Make Your Home Aging-in-Place Friendly”
“Top 10 Room Painting Pro Tips for Aging in Place from a Professional Contractor”
Let me know how your aging-in-place painting projects go and, as always, leave your questions in the comments section below. I’m here and happy to help.
Good luck with your next aging-in-place home project.
One of the reasons why we recommend products on Amazon is that oftentimes the product you need is either out of stock or on backorder from the manufacturer or third-party site. I find Amazon to be much more reliable when I need a product fast because they have access to so many sellers.
