Color Swatch LabGear · CSL–G04
Drop cloths and prep supplies
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Good protection is boring and cheap compared to refinishing a floor. The right cover depends on the surface and traffic: you will stand and walk on floor covers, so slip resistance matters, while furniture only needs something that blocks splatter.
Move as much furniture out of the room as you can, then cover what remains. Cover vents and outlets, and remove switch plates when possible so you do not have to cut around them.
Canvas drop cloths
Who it is for: most room-painting jobs. They lay flat, absorb drips and wash.
Larger sizes cover the middle of a room; runners protect hallways and stair paths. Folded corners are a trip hazard, so tape edges down.
- Trimaco 51121 SuperTuff canvas drop cloth, 9 ft x 12 ftprotects floors from drips and is reusable. (View on Amazon)
- Canvas drop cloth, 6 x 9 fta smaller cloth for hallways and bathrooms. (Search on Amazon)
- Canvas drop cloth runner, 4 x 12 fta long runner for hallways and stairs. (Search on Amazon)
Plastic and paper covers
Who it is for: furniture, shelves and floors you will only cross a few times.
Plastic is great for vertical protection but slippery underfoot; use paper or canvas where you will walk.
- Trimaco Easy Mask Cling Cover plastic sheeting, 9 ft x 400 ftcovers furniture and keeps splatter off pieces you cannot move. (View on Amazon)
- Red rosin paper floor protection roll, 36 in. x 166 fta breathable floor cover that stays put. (View on Amazon)
- Ram Board Home Edition floor protection, 36 in. x 50 fta heavy floor cover for bigger remodel jobs. (View on Amazon)
- Tangibay pre-taped masking film, 70 in. x 66 ft (3 rolls)masks windows, cabinets and trim in one pass. (View on Amazon)
Small prep items that save cleanup
Who it is for: anyone who has ever found a paint drip on a switch plate.
These cost very little and remove tedious cutting-in work.
- Outlet and switch plate masking coverskeeps paint off plates while you roll the wall. (Search on Amazon)
- Painter's pyramid stands (36-pack)raise doors and cabinet pieces so you can paint edges. (View on Amazon)
- Wooden paint stir sticks, 12 in. (25-pack)mix paint before and during use. (View on Amazon)
- Paint mixing paddle for a drillmixes a gallon quickly with a drill. (Search on Amazon)
- Paint strainer bags for 5-gallon buckets, fine mesh (100-pack)strain old or lumpy paint. (View on Amazon)
Tape for holding covers in place
Who it is for: any cover that wants to shift or flap.
Use painter's tape rather than duct tape on finished floors.
- ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape, 2 in. x 60 yd (2090-48NC)hangs samples and masks trim without lifting paint. (View on Amazon)
- ScotchBlue Delicate Surface painter's tape, 1 in. (2080EL-24N)a lower-tack tape for freshly painted walls and wallpaper. (View on Amazon)
FAQ
- Are canvas drop cloths better than plastic?
- For floors, usually yes. Canvas absorbs drips, stays put and does not slip. Plastic works well for covering furniture and walls but can be slippery on floors.
- Does paint soak through canvas?
- Heavier weights resist leaks better, but a big spill can still soak through. Wipe spills quickly and avoid placing paint trays at the edge of the cloth.
- How do I keep drop cloths from shifting?
- Tape the edges down with painter's tape, especially along walls and around your working area, and avoid folded corners that can trip you.
- What should I do with leftover paint-stained drop cloths?
- Keep them for the next job, or use them as protective covers while storing furniture. Do not wash heavily paint-soaked cloths in your washing machine.
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