A catch-all category, your paint tools and accessories department includes a wide range of products. With so many options, it can be difficult to decide what to stock. Current supply chain issues have made many items scarce as well, leaving many retailers scrambling to find replacement items for products they normally carry.
As you decide what to keep on your shelves, start by asking loyal customers for their recommendations on what they love to use.
In addition, you can seek input from your peers. Paint & Decorating Retailer asked retailers around the country to share their favorite tools, accessories and complements to get you started.
“One of my favorites is SCENTsations Additives because they help eliminate odors in the home just by adding to any paint. They are also a great and popular add-on to increase transaction sizes in the store.” —Lesley Davies-Baptista, Paint Fair
Paint SCENTsations Additives
paintscentsations.com or 952-469-3659
Combat odors from cooking, pets, smoking and more with Paint SCENTsations Additives. Choose from one of the eight subtle and clean scents, which include Citrus Squeeze, Tropical Winds, Spring Rain, Fresh Air, Clean & Crisp, Cool Linen, Vanilla Bean and Sea Breeze. The additives can be used with both latex and oil-based paints and only require 1 ounce of additive for every gallon of paint.
“My staff and I love the Handy Paint Pail system. They offer a wide variety of sizes, from handheld to ladder mount buckets, plus liners and covers. They are so comfortable to use that I tell our customers the only drawback is forgetting that you are carrying it.” —Jason Taylor, Perspectives Inc.
Handy Paint Pail
handyproducts.co or 877-464-1170
The Handy Paint Pail is ergonomic, simple to use and made in the U.S. It comes with an adjustable handle, brush scraper lip and integrated magnetic brush holder. The Handy Paint Pail Pro is a larger version of the original pail that has a built-in roller rest and can be used with a mini roller or large brush for bigger jobs. Both are made with solvent-resistant materials for easy cleanup.
“Sashco eXact Color Caulk is one of my favorite products because you can make any color caulk you want. It also comes in a contractor 6-pack at a reduced price. We offer to mix the tubes for customers for an additional charge of $2 per tube. My brother John has actually made wooden caulk shaker adapters to help mix the product in our gallon shakers.” —Peggy Sue Wingard, O-Gee Paint & Wallpaper
Sashco eXact Color Caulk®
sashco.com or 800-767-5656
Sashco eXact Color Caulk® allows you to create custom colored caulk without any special tools; simply mix in any water-based paint, stain or universal pigments to get an exact match. The caulk is 100 percent water-based acrylic, can be applied to most joints up to 2 inches wide and won’t pull away or crack once dry. It is safe to use indoors and outdoors on plastics, metals, brick, cement, cinder block, stone, tile, wood and more.
“No two paint contractors or painters would agree on which brush is best—it’s the old Chevy versus Ford argument. Every painter has their favorite brush and roller cover, which will change depending on the product being applied and the project, but many of our customers love the Wooster PRO/DOO-Z roller covers because they have set a high standard for rollers.” —Gordon Anderson, Alpine Paint Co.
Wooster PRO/DOO-Z® FTP Roller Cover
woosterbrush.com or 800-392-7246
The Wooster PRO/DOO-Z® FTP roller cover is shed-resistant for all paints, enamels, primers and epoxies. The high-density fabric resists matting for a smooth finish and the controlled paint release provides better paint coverage. The PRO/DOO-Z comes in several lengths and nap sizes suitable for semi-rough and semi-smooth surfaces.
“My favorite paint tool may not be the most glamorous tool but is definitely the most functional. I have used this tool many times and in the instances where I have used it, it literally saved my life!” —Todd Halbig, Purcell’s Paint & Wallpaper
PiViT LadderTool
provisiontools.com or 615-771-7245
The PiViT LadderTool is a lightweight, easy-to-use ladder leveler that sets up in seconds and has no moving parts. Use it as a ladder platform for stairs, sloped earth, asphalt shingle roofs and other uneven surfaces.
“System Three SculpWood Paste is easy to mix and easily fills in holes, plus you can still drill screws back in after you fill. You can basically stick it to everything.” —John Schultz, O-Gee Paint & Wallpaper
System Three SculpWood Paste
systemthree.com or 800-333-5514
SculpWood Paste by System Three is a spreadable, two-component and waterproof paste ideal for filling cracks and defects in rot-damaged wood. It spreads easily and won’t sag, drag or pull, while the two-color system ensures complete mixing in a convenient 1:1 mixing ratio. SculpWood Paste is 100 percent waterproof, won’t shrink after curing and comes in 4-ounce, 1-quart, 2-quart and 2-gallon sizes.
“We absolutely love Hyde Painter’s Pyramids for cabinets and other small items that need to be brushed or roller sprayed. It’s such a simple but effective tool, elevating the cabinet just high enough to be able to spray the top and the sides to get a nice even coat. We just brought these in a few months ago and they are already flying off the shelves.” —Danny Garcia, Pintura Paint
Hyde Painter’s Pyramids®
hydetools.com or 800-872-4933
The Hyde Painter’s Pyramids hold workpieces above your working surface and come with non-stick points for minimal contact, allowing you to paint one side, immediately flip the workpiece and complete the job with less drying time. The pyramids are ideal for cabinet doors, shutters, furniture, crafts and moldings. They support up to 200 pounds and are chemical-resistant.
“The flexible clip-on pour spout for gallon paint cans from FoamPRO is my go-to accessory. I won’t paint unless I have one! It’s 99 cents but serves so many purposes; it’s a brush rest and it keeps the rim and can clean and the dropcloth free of dribbles.” —John Henske, Flanagan Paint
FoamPRO® Fits-All Paint Can Spout
foampromfg.com or 949-252-0112
Made to fit pint, quart, gallon and 4-liter paint cans, the FoamPRO Fits-All Paint Can Spout snaps onto the outer rim to keep paint out of the gutter, which ensures a good seal of the paint can after use. The spout also works as a brush wiper and brush rest and is ideal for both professionals and DIYers.
ScotchBlue™️ Painter’s Tape Applicator
scotchblue.com or 800-494-3552
ScotchBlue™️ Painter’s Tape Applicator applies painter’s tape in one continuous strip and has an easy-to-hold circular grip and felt pad that gently glides across surfaces. Plastic rollers tightly seal the tape to a variety of surfaces, and the sharp blade provides a straight, precise cut.
