Make prep painless

Getting a substrate up to scratch before putting on that first coat can often be a real labour of love. Yet, the right tools can make a difference. Here, Andy Cummins, Senior Product Manager at Purdy looks at how the right tools can make the process as efficient and painless as possible.

The contribution a good quality preparation tool can make to your day-to-day job can generally be categorised in one of three ways: comfort, durability and time saving.

Comfort

Tools that have been ergonomically designed shouldn’t be underestimated, particularly those that are being used for longer periods such as scrapers and wire brushes.

Rubberised grips that have taken into account the natural hold style of users can really aid comfort, reducing the stress on the hand, wrist and arm. Plus, rubberised handles are also non-slip, avoiding that annoyance too.

Durability

Having a tool that can withstand heavy usage is also key. A scraper or filler knife suddenly breaking in your hand is a common occurrence with cheaper tools, which is not only frustrating but also risks injury.

Ideally choose a scraper made from stainless steel, as unlike alternative materials, stainless steel includes a high level of chromium and when chromium reacts with oxygen it forms a protective layer that prevents corrosion and rust from occurring.

Always look for products that will provide increased stability even when you’re putting your full force into the task. For example, the Purdy Four Edge Carbide Scraper boasts a strong bolt to attach the blade to the handle. It also comes with a choice of four blades, two for aggressive scraping and two for finishing, meaning the same tool can be used across multiple tasks.

Time saving

In fact, when it comes to time saving on site, multi-tools are ideal. The Purdy 6-in-1 Tool, for example, has a scraper, putty remover, roller cleaner, filler applicator, crack cleaner and nail set hammerhead end all in one, meaning there’s no climbing up and down ladders or digging into your tool bag as you switch between tasks. It also reduces the amount of tools you need to bring to site.

For professional decorators, having high-quality, well-made tools can really make a difference, minimising time spent on tedious activities, ultimately allowing you to carve out time for additional work.

Purdy has a wide range of prep tools on its website, designed to support and elevate the success of professional decorators and their craft. To help make every paint job a better paint job. For more information on Purdy’s high-quality, long lasting prep tools, visit www.purdy.co.uk