The Complete Paint Supplies Checklist for Any Project
The Complete Paint Supplies Checklist for Any Project
Nothing kills painting momentum like a mid-project trip to the store because you forgot painter's tape. Or the right roller nap. Or a can opener.
This is the checklist we wish every DIYer had before starting a paint project. It covers everything from a quick bedroom refresh to a full exterior job. Check off what applies to your project, grab everything in one trip, and paint without interruptions.
All of these supplies are available at LCB Paint & Supply - and our sundries collection has everything below the paint itself.
Paint and Primer
The Basics
- Paint - Calculate coverage first: 1 gallon covers ~350 - 400 sq ft on smooth surfaces. Buy 10% extra. Always better to have leftover paint than to run short mid-wall.
- Primer - Needed for: bare drywall, stain blocking, dark-to-light color changes, previously unpainted surfaces, glossy surfaces. A quality primer like Zinsser BIN or Zinsser Smart Prime saves you coats of expensive topcoat.
- Touch-up paint - Keep leftover paint in a small mason jar labeled with the room and color. Future you will be grateful.
How to Calculate Paint Quantity
- Measure wall height × width for each wall
- Subtract windows and doors (~20 sq ft per window, ~21 sq ft per door)
- Total square footage ÷ 350 = gallons needed per coat
- Multiply by number of coats (usually 2)
- Round up and add a little extra
Brushes
The brush is the most important tool in your kit. A $3 brush and a $15 brush produce wildly different results.
- 2 - 2.5" angled sash brush - Your workhorse. Cutting in, trim, detail work. This is the one to invest in. Purdy, Wooster, or Corona are all excellent choices.
- 3" straight brush - For wider trim, door panels, and flat surfaces where you're not rolling.
- 1" angled brush - For tight spots: window muntins, tight corners, detailed millwork.
- Trim brush set - If you're doing extensive trim work, having a dedicated set saves cleaning time.
Brush Type by Paint Type
- Latex/acrylic paint: Nylon-polyester blend brushes
- Oil-based paint/stain: Natural bristle (China bristle) brushes
- Shellac primer: Natural bristle or dedicated shellac brush
Rollers and Roller Covers
- 9" roller frame - Standard size for walls and ceilings. Get one with a comfortable grip and a threaded end for an extension pole.
- Roller covers (9") - The nap thickness matters: - 3/16" - 1/4" nap: Smooth surfaces (doors, cabinets, trim). Leaves the smoothest finish. - 3/8" nap: Slightly textured drywall (most common - this is your default). - 1/2" nap: Textured walls, light orange peel. - 3/4" - 1" nap: Heavy texture, stucco, rough surfaces.
- Mini roller frame (4" - 6") - For tight areas, cabinets, trim.
- Mini roller covers - Foam for ultra-smooth finishes (cabinets), fabric for standard work.
- Extension pole - Saves your back and shoulders on walls and ceilings. A 2 - 4' pole handles most interior work. Get a telescoping pole if you have high ceilings.
Tape and Masking
- Painter's tape (blue or green) - FrogTape or ScotchBlue are the standards. Green (FrogTape) has paint-lock technology for the sharpest lines. Blue is more versatile and easier to remove. - 1.5" width - Most common, good for trim and ceiling lines - 2" width - Better for wider borders and less experienced tapers
- Pre-taped masking film/paper - Rolls of plastic or paper with tape already attached. Incredibly handy for masking off large areas (floors, countertops, cabinets).
- Masking paper - For floors and large surfaces. Better than newspaper (no ink transfer).
Prep and Surface Repair
- TSP or degreaser - For cleaning walls before painting. Essential in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Spackle/wood filler - For nail holes, dents, cracks. Lightweight spackle for small holes, regular for larger repairs.
- Putty knife set (1", 3", 6") - For applying filler. The 6" is also handy for scraping.
- Sandpaper/sanding sponges: - 80 - 100 grit - Heavy sanding, paint removal - 120 - 150 grit - Surface prep, scuffing existing finishes - 220 grit - Between coats, final smoothing
- Sanding block - Keeps sandpaper flat for even sanding.
- Caulk + caulk gun - Paintable latex caulk for gaps between trim and walls. This single step makes trim work look 10x more professional.
- 5-in-1 tool - Scraper, putty knife, roller cleaner, crack opener, nail set. The most useful $8 you'll spend.
- Tack cloth - For removing sanding dust before painting. A must.
- Drywall mesh tape + joint compound - For cracks or damaged drywall. Repair first, paint second.
Drop Cloths and Protection
- Canvas drop cloths - Reusable, heavy, stays in place, absorbs drips. Best for floors.
- Plastic sheeting - For covering furniture, countertops, large areas. Get 1 - 2 mil thickness.
- Rosin paper - For hardwood floors. Lies flat, doesn't shift, protects without being slippery.
Trays, Buckets, and Containers
- Paint tray + liners - Liners make cleanup a 30-second job instead of a 10-minute one. Buy a pack.
- 5-gallon bucket + roller screen - For large jobs, this is faster and holds more paint than a tray. Box your paint (mix multiple cans together) for uniform color.
- Bucket grid/screen - Clips onto the bucket for rolling.
- Pour spout - Snaps onto the gallon can for clean pouring. Costs $1, saves a mess.
- Stir sticks - Stir paint thoroughly before and during use. Free at most paint stores.
- Paint can opener - Or use your 5-in-1 tool.
Safety and Personal Protection
- Safety glasses - Especially for ceiling work and sanding.
- Nitrile or latex gloves - For staining, priming, and handling chemicals.
- Respirator mask - Essential for oil-based paints, shellac primers (Zinsser BIN), and spray painting. An N95 is minimum; a half-face respirator with organic vapor cartridges is better for heavy solvent exposure.
- Dust mask (N95) - For sanding.
- Old clothes/painting clothes - Wear something you don't care about. Paint finds a way.
Cleanup Supplies
- Brush/roller spinner - Spins water out of brushes and rollers. Makes cleanup 5x faster and helps tools last longer.
- Brush comb - Cleans paint out of brush bristles. Use every time.
- Mineral spirits/paint thinner - For oil-based paint cleanup.
- Brush keeper/wrapper - Wrap clean brushes to maintain bristle shape.
- Rags - Always need more than you think.
- Trash bags - For roller covers, tape, plastic sheeting, and general job-site cleanup.
- Wet wipes - For quick cleanup of hands and small drips before they dry.
Specialty Supplies (Project-Specific)
For Exterior Painting
For Cabinet Painting
For Deck Staining
For Spray Painting
How to Save Money on Paint Supplies (Without Sacrificing Quality)
Getting quality supplies doesn't mean overpaying. Here's how to be smart about it:
- Invest in brushes and rollers, economize on disposables. A $15 brush used 50 times is cheaper per use than a $3 brush used twice.
- Buy roller covers in multi-packs. Significantly cheaper per unit.
- Use tray liners. Cheaper than replacing trays or spending 15 minutes scrubbing them.
- Calculate paint accurately. Overbuying wastes money; underbuying wastes a trip and risks color mismatch.
- Clean and store tools properly. Quality brushes last years when cleaned after every use.
- Buy from a paint supplier, not a big box. Specialized retailers like LCB Paint & Supply often have better prices on sundries and always have better advice. Our sundries margins mean we can pass savings on to you.
- Don't skip primer. It seems like an extra cost, but primer is cheaper than paint and reduces the number of topcoats needed. Two coats of paint over primer > three coats of paint without primer.
The Quick-Reference Checklist
For a standard interior room paint job, here's your minimum supply list:
- Paint (calculated for 2 coats)
- Primer (if needed)
- 2.5" angled brush
- 9" roller frame + 3/8" nap covers (2 - 3)
- Extension pole
- Painter's tape
- Canvas drop cloth
- Spackle + putty knife
- 220-grit sandpaper
- Paintable caulk + caulk gun
- Tack cloth
- Paint tray + liners
- Stir sticks
- 5-in-1 tool
That's it. Under $50 in supplies (not counting paint) gets you a professional-quality room refresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paint supplies do I need for a beginner?
Start with the quick-reference checklist above. A quality angled brush, roller frame with covers, painter's tape, a drop cloth, spackle, sandpaper, and a paint tray with liners. Total cost: $40 - $60 for supplies that will last you through multiple projects. Don't buy the cheapest option - mid-range tools perform dramatically better.
How do I choose the right roller nap?
Match the nap to your surface texture. 3/8" nap covers 90% of interior walls. Use 1/4" or less for ultra-smooth surfaces like cabinets and doors. Use 1/2" - 3/4" for textured walls. The rougher the surface, the longer the nap. When in doubt, go with 3/8".
Are expensive paint brushes worth it?
Yes. A $12 - $18 brush holds more paint, releases it more evenly, doesn't leave brush marks or shed bristles, and lasts for years with proper care. A $3 brush does the opposite of all those things. It's the single best place to spend a few extra dollars.
Can I reuse paint rollers?
Technically yes, but it's rarely worth the effort. Roller covers are inexpensive and a fresh cover gives a better finish. If you're painting the same color over multiple days, wrap the roller tightly in plastic wrap or a plastic bag and refrigerate it - it'll stay fresh for 2 - 3 days without cleaning.
What's the difference between painter's tape brands?
Blue tape (ScotchBlue) is general-purpose, easy to remove, and works on most surfaces. Green tape (FrogTape) has a paint-lock gel that prevents bleed-through - it gives the sharpest lines but costs more. For most projects, either works. If you're doing crisp lines on textured walls or between two colors, FrogTape is worth the upgrade.Stock up on everything you need in one place. Browse our complete painting supplies collection at LCB Paint & Supply - from premium brushes and rollers to spray paint and primers. Questions? We're here to help.