Hi guys! Today I am participating in a fun blog hop put together by my friend Coco of The Crowned Goat– “What’s in My Paint Bag?” 
Seven bloggers total are sharing their go-to products for painting furniture and you can find the complete list with links at the bottom of this post. I made you this handy graphic so you could see all of my favorite painting needs. Clearly my bag is like a Mary Poppins paint bag, because it can fit loads of paint and finishes as well as power tools.
As you can see from the list above, I am not really a brand specific girl… I like what I like. I use different products for different looks, but I do believe in using the same brands together- meaning I use General Finishes top coats with General Finishes paints, etc. So let’s get into it, shall we?
- Part Unicorn Bag– If you are going to be transporting your products, show off your personality! I have a unicorn bag a friend gave me, and I also love this Part Unicorn bag.
- Milwaukee Orbital Sander & Sanding Discs– This is the sander that I use to prep all of my pieces. It works well, and has the right amount of speed and power for me. When the discs are too worn to use on the sander I remove them and reuse them to hand distress pieces. My preferred grit is 160 on the sander; once it’s been used a bit it’s not as gritty for the hand sanding.
- Purdy Paint Brushes– This brand of paint brushes are my absolute favorite. They don’t shed often, and are easy to use and glide beautifully. I also use these to apply topcoat careful to brush on only once and never go back in and touch the topcoat again until another coat is applied. Otherwise, you’ll see brush strokes. A brush is not just a brush, my friends.
- Chip Brushes– These are fabulous to use for applying wax and feathering it on. I would not recommend these for paint.
- Rags (not pictured)- I love using white cotton rags for a variety of tasks from wiping on wax to buffing. They’re always handy!
- General Finishes Milk Paint– This paint is my go-to for a smooth finish. I love that it can be distressed but also can create a modern finish as on Emmy’s own dresser.
- General Finishes Wax– This wax goes on so smoothly over their paint! It provides a nice finish for pieces that aren’t high usage. It’s perfect for dressers or sideboards. I apply it with a rag and buff it with a rag as well.
- General Finishes Satin Topcoat– Out of all of the finishes, Satin is my favorite. it’s still got a little sheen more like a semi-gloss, but I love the way it looks. As I mentioned, I apply this with a brush, careful not to go back through where I apply it as that will cause brush marks. Work quickly in small areas at a time. This topcoat gives a much more durable finish than wax and can be used on dining tables, cabinets and more.
- Amy Howard One Step Paint– Out of all of the chalk based paints, this has been my favorite to use. I find its adhesion to be the best, the odor to be the least offensive, and the color palette is gorgeous as well. When I want a more weathered and rustic look, I love to use One Step.
- Amy Howard Light Antique Wax, Dark Antique Wax & Dust of Ages– These waxes layered together and topped with the Dust of Ages make a perfectly worn finish. I used these together recently on a mint dresser. Once complete they can be buffed with a rag as well for a hard smooth finish.
- O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream- From constantly washing paint off my hands and brushes my hands are always so dry and cracked. This cream works so well and soothes my hands, keeps them softer, and is unscented which I love.
Well, that’s everything that I can’t live without! There are still more specialty products that I like to use on occasion, but these are all the basics. I hope that this helped you in getting started with your next furniture painting project! And now check out what the other ladies are stuffing in their paint bags!
The Crowned Goat
2 Bees in a Pod
Canary Street
Orphans with Makeup
The Painted Drawer
DD’s Cottage & Design
