11 painting tools you need (and 5 you don’t)

“One of the easiest things to remember about paint tools is that you get what you pay for,” says Lou Manfredini, a home expert for Ace Hardware. “The biggest mistake I see homeowners make is that they buy cheap tools that don’t give them good results, or they buy cheap paint — then they end up with a poor finished product.”

Here are some of Manfredini’s favorite must-have paint products for a flawless finish. We’ve broken it down into three categories: the 11 painting tools everyone should own, 4 that will help with necessary wall repairs, and the 5 painting products you can probably do without.

Wall cleaner: You want to work with a clean surface, since a dirty wall could prevent the paint from adhering or cause the paint to bubble. “I like to use a classic cleaner, Spic and Span, with a little bit of water and a sponge to get any surface dirt off the walls before I paint,” says Manfredini.

Painter’s tape: While purchasing a quality painter’s tape like 3M or FrogTape is important, it’s more about how you apply it. Once it’s on the wall, run a damp rag over the edge to create a seal. Pay attention to the release dates, or when the tape needs to come off by; it varies from 15 to 30 days.