When it comes to DIY painting, there are a few things you need to think about before getting started. The first is what you’ll be wearing while you paint.
In this article, we’ll discuss what to wear when you’re painting at home, so you can stay comfortable, clean and safe while you work.
What to wear when painting
When you’re renovating at home you don’t need any fancy professional work gear, you can use some old clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on.
Pants and shirts
There are a few different types of pants and shirts you can wear while painting. One option is to wear old jeans or another type of sturdy denim pants.
Denim is a good choice for painting because it’s thick and durable so it will protect your skin from paint splatters.
Another option is to wear pants made from a material such as cotton. These pants will be more comfortable to work in than jeans. A pair of training pants with a loose fit is a good choice.
A pair of loose-fitting shorts can also be a good choice, especially in warmer weather.
As for shirts, you can wear a regular t-shirt or a long-sleeved shirt. A t-shirt is more comfortable to work in, but a long-sleeved shirt will offer more protection for your skin when you’re painting the ceilings for example.
Again, you’ll want to choose cotton material for comfort. If you’re painting the exterior of your home then you should choose brighter colors for your clothes, preferably white, since it will reflect the sun better and won’t be as hot.
Painting is a physical activity so you’ll want to be sure to wear clothes that aren’t too tight or restrictive. Wearing layers is also a good idea if you’re working outdoors so you can take off a layer if you get too warm.
Coveralls and Overalls
If you’re planning on spray painting or you just want to protect your clothes while working then you can wear coveralls.
Coveralls are one-piece suits that will protect your clothes and skin from paint splatters. They’re usually breathable but will still block liquids and particles from penetrating.
Overalls are similar to coveralls but they don’t cover as much of your body. They have straps that go over your shoulders and they usually have a bib (a piece of fabric that covers your chest).
The advantage of overalls is that they have lots of pockets where you can store your phone, rags, tools and other stuff that you need while you’re painting.
Wear the right shoes
You’re going to be moving around a lot while you’re painting so you need to wear comfortable shoes.
A pair of old sneakers or running shoes is a good choice. Avoid wearing sandals, flip-flops or any other type of open-toed shoes since they can be dangerous and you don’t want paint getting on your feet.
If you’re going to remodel your home and there will be a lot of debris with nails or heavy lifting then you should wear proper work boots for protection.
Safety work shoes will have steel toe and will be puncture resistant so they’ll protect your feet if something falls on them or if you accidentally walk on protruding nails.
You could also use shoe covers which are like big socks that you slip over your shoes. They’re good for protecting your shoes from paint and debris and they’re usually made from a disposable material so you can just toss them when you’re done.
Protect your hands
When painting you will certainly get paint on your hands so it’s a good idea to wear gloves.
You can find gloves specifically made for painting that will protect your hands from paint and solvents. They’re usually made from nylon, latex or nitrile which are durable materials.
Wearing gloves will help to keep your hands clean and it will also prevent your skin from drying out from the paint and from the cleaning chemicals that you’ll use.
Regular latex paint isn’t hard to clean off your hands but primers can be more difficult. If you’re using your phone a lot while you’re working then gloves will also prevent your phone from getting paint on it.
Protect your hair
When you’re painting there is a big chance that you’ll get paint in your hair.
If you have long hair then you should tie it back in a ponytail or bun so it’s out of the way.
You could also wear a baseball cap or a headscarf to keep your hair from getting in the way and to protect it from paint.
Protect your eyes
When painting ceilings or sanding you might get paint or dust in your eyes so it’s a good idea to wear eye protection.
Safety glasses or goggles will protect your eyes from paint and debris.
What to do if you get paint on your skin
There are a few things that you can do if you accidentally get paint on your skin.
If the paint is still wet then you can try to wipe it off with a paper towel or a rag.
If the paint has dried and it’s a water-based paint then soap and water should be enough to remove it.
If the paint is oil-based then soap and water won’t be enough and you’ll need to use wipes that are specifically made for removing oil-based paint.
Don’t use solvents such as mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean your hands or skin since not only will it dry out your skin but your skin will absorb the solvent which isn’t good for you.
If you don’t have any wipes at hand then you can use butter to dissolve the oil-based paint and then wash with soap and water.
If you’re using oil-based paint I strongly recommend using gloves so you don’t accidentally get paint on your skin.
What to do if you get paint on your clothes?
If you get paint on the clothes that you’re wearing then the first thing you should do is try to remove as much of the paint as possible while it’s still wet.
If the paint has dried then you’ll need to treat it before washing. Water-based paints can usually be removed with soap and water but oil-based paints will require something else.
The best way to remove oil-based paint from clothing is to use a product called Goof Off. It’s specifically made for removing paint and it’s very effective.
You can also use denatured alcohol, lacquer thinner or mineral spirits but these products are not as safe as Goof Off and they can be harmful if you get them on your skin so be sure to wear gloves.
Once you’ve removed as much of the paint as possible then you can wash the clothing as usual.
How to protect yourself from fumes?
If you’re planning on painting with oil-based paints indoors then I strongly recommend using a respirator such as the 3M Half Facepiece to protect yourself from the fumes.
Don’t forget to get the right type of filters for the mask as well.
Oil-based paints contain harmful chemicals such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which can be dangerous to your health if you’re exposed to them for too long.
A good respirator will filter out these harmful fumes and it’s definitely worth the investment if you’re going to be painting with oil-based paints indoors.
You could also try ventilating by opening windows and doors but this might not be enough depending on the size of the room that you’re painting in.
Watch the related video below for more information about masks and filters.
What do professional painters wear?
The most common type of clothing that professional painters wear is white pants and a white shirt.
The pants can be of different brands and styles but the shirt is usually a plain white t-shirt.
The type of pants I personally use as a professional painter is the kind that you can insert knee pads into (such as these) and has lots of pockets where I can keep my phone, sandpaper and other tools.
The material should be stretchy and breathable, I find that they’re more comfortable than regular pants and they offer better protection for your knees when you’re kneeling on the ground.
In the summertime, I use shorts such as these. They’re made of cotton and have lots of pockets.
As for shoes, I prefer to wear comfortable non-protected shoes for painting jobs that don’t require protection such as steel toe. On construction sites where there is a lot going on, I wear protected work shoes.
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Conclusion
Wearing the right clothing is important when painting, both for your own comfort and to protect yourself from paint.
If you’re using oil-based paints then I recommend wearing gloves and a respirator to protect yourself from the fumes.
When you have the right clothes on, painting becomes a much more enjoyable experience. Trust me, I’ve been doing it for years!