What's in my Toolbox? The Most Important Tools for Pro Painters

Jenny McCarthy knows a lot about walls. She started off her career in the trades working as a wallpaperer before switching to professional painting. Now she owns and operates her own painting business in Massachusetts while marketing and promoting the Stud Hugger, a drywall-hanging tool she invented.

Thanks to years of experience in the industry, McCarthy has learned a thing or two about painting tools. We asked her which tools she turns to the most when she’s on the job.

Check out this profile to learn more about McCarthy and her intriguing career.

Jenny’s Painting Toolbox

Here are some of the essential tools McCarthy brings to every paint job:

Benjamin Moore Paint

A painter is only as good as their paint. McCarthy loves Benjamin Moore, saying it “makes you look like a rock star.”  Her favorite line is Regal Select, an interior paint that comes in five finish styles.

Sash Brushes

McCarthy’s preferred paint brushes are these sash brushes from Wooster Brush. McCarthy says painters should check out these brushes because they’re easy on your hands and great for cutting in sharp, crisp lines.

Roller Covers

When she’s not doing detailed brush work, McCarthy prefers to paint with Benjamin Moore’s 3/8-in. nap roller covers. These are her go-to tool for wall surfaces, mainly because they don’t shed fabric while you’re painting like some lower-quality roller covers do.

Brush Extender

When she needs to paint an out-of-reach surface, Jenny goes straight for her angled brush extender. This tool from Shur-Line attaches a paint brush to an extension pole. That makes it much easier to paint in awkward, out-of-the-way locations.

Little Giant Ladders

This ladder from Little Giant Ladders is ideal for painters. Its multi-position design means it’s adaptable for all kinds of situations. It’s easy to set up and take down and weighs just 26 lbs.