We are all guilty of falling into the trap of using the wrong tool for the job. Whether cutting wallpaper with kitchen scissors, or using a pointing trowel to touch up some plaster, it soon becomes clear that these tools are not made for the job. In this guide we will help you find the right tools to make the job easier and get the perfect finish.
Step One: Preparation.
The key to any job is preparation and this is especially true for professional decorators. The difference between a nice clean finish and a poor finish is almost always down to the preparation of the surface prior to decoration. This is why it is so important that you have the right tools to make your job easier. Some of the most essential tools for preparation include the following:
Filling Knives – Ranging from 1 inch through to 4 inch a flexible filling knife is a must have essential for applying all types of wall filler.
Paint Scrapers – From shavehooks and scrapers to multi tools, these tools are a necessity for removing paint and varnish from flat surfaces.
Wire Brushes – Hard wearing wire brushes are the perfect tool for quick removal of loose paint, rust and dirt ensuring a nice clean surface ready for decoration.
Step Two: Decoration.
Once you have fully prepared the surface you can get on with the decorating, again choosing the right tools for the job will not only make your job easier but will help you achieve a clean and professional finish. Some must have decorating tools are listed below.
Decorating Scissors – A good quality sharp pair of decorating and wallpaper scissors are a must have for anyone who will be hanging wallpaper. From 10 to 12 inches in length they are specially made to cut through dry and wet wallpaper with ease.
Wallpapering Tables – Make sure your wallpaper is cut to the right size and properly pasted by using a professional wallpapering table. A good wallpapering table should be easy to clean and sturdy.
Wallpaper Tools – From pasting brushes and wallpaper smoothers to perforators and multi tools, there are a lot of wallpapering tools available to help get a smooth and professional finish.
Work Platforms – Whether painting, hanging wallpaper or fitting fixings, it is important to have a strong and stable platform to work from.
Step Three: Finish.
Once the room has been decorated it can be finished ready for moving the furniture back in. Light fittings, sockets, curtain poles and fixtures need to be fixed in place and any radiators that have been removed should be re-fitted. Once everything is back in place the room can be cleaned to remove any dirt from the decorating stage.