Top 15 House Painter Skills (2024)

15 house painter skills for your resume and career

1. Ladders

A ladder is a structure used to elevate a person or object. House painters use ladders to reach high areas on buildings. They set up ladders, scaffolding, and other equipment to prepare the job site. They also use ladders to paint and stain surfaces, and handle them safely to avoid accidents.

Here's how house painters use ladders:

General labor related to painting houses like setting up ladders, sanding and scraping houses.
Use of ladders, scaffolding, various hand and electric tools.

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2. Caulking

Caulking is a substance used to fill cracks and gaps between surfaces. House painters use caulking to prepare surfaces for painting by applying it to building joints, seams, and around door frames and cabinets. They also use it to repair cracks or breaks in surfaces before painting.

Here's how house painters use caulking:

Applied exterior and interior caulking to building joints and seams; around door frames, cabinets.
Prepared houses for painting: sanding, caulking, priming and spraying * Performed painting and touch-ups on interior and exterior projects

3. Coats

Coats are layers of paint or primer applied to a surface. House painters use coats by scraping loose paint chips and applying primers and sealers to prepare new surfaces for finish coats. They also apply two coats of paint for added protection.

Here's how house painters use coats:

Scraped loose paint chips, primer, and layered final paint coats.
Applied two coats of paint for added protection.

4. Exterior Surfaces

Exterior surfaces refer to any surface outside of a building, like walls, roofs, and decks. House painters use exterior surfaces by applying paint to them, preparing them for painting or staining, and repairing any defects. They also power wash and manage teams of painters to complete the job.

Here's how house painters use exterior surfaces:

Applied paint to Interior and exterior surfaces
Brush-painted eaves and exterior surfaces.

5. Drywall Repair

Drywall repair is the process of fixing holes or cracks in drywall to ensure a smooth surface. House painters use it to prepare surfaces for painting by patching and sanding damaged areas. They may also perform drywall repairs as part of larger home improvement projects or to fix flaws in existing drywall.

Here's how house painters use drywall repair:

Paint house interiors; walls, trim, doors, ceilings *Drywall repair
Assisted with minor drywall repairs, staining and carpentry projects.

6. Drop Cloths

Drop cloths are pieces of fabric used to protect surfaces from paint and other materials. House painters use drop cloths to cover surfaces before and during painting to protect them from paint splatters and spills. They also use drop cloths to keep floors and furniture from getting paint on them. This allows them to ensure that the paint job is done properly and that the surfaces are protected from damage.

Here's how house painters use drop cloths:

Obtain supplies need for each job, such as brushes, paint, nozzles, drop cloths, etc.
Monitor and inventory supply of paint as well as tools needed such as brushes drop cloths and more.

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7. Paint Rollers

Paint rollers are a tool used to apply paint to surfaces. House painters use paint rollers to apply paint to surfaces by rolling them over the surface, spreading the paint evenly. They work under grandfather, paint areas, and use brushes and spray guns alongside paint rollers.

Here's how house painters use paint rollers:

Painted surfaces with brushes, airless spray system, HVLP spray gun, and paint rollers.
Apply paint, stain varnish, and other finishes to buildings and structures using brushes, paint rollers and/or spray guns.

8. Electric Switch

An electric switch is a device that regulates the flow of electrical current. House painters use electric switches by removing fixtures such as pictures, doorknobs, lamps, and electric switch covers prior to painting. They remove these fixtures to ensure that the paint adheres to the surface without any obstruction.

Here's how house painters use electric switch:

Remove fixtures such as pictures, doorknobs, lamps, and electric switch covers prior to painting.
Remove fixtures such as pictures, doorknobs, lamps, and electric switch covers prior to painting.

9. Paint Brushes

Paint brushes are tools used to apply paint to various surfaces. House painters use paint brushes to paint small items and perform touch-up painting. They also use paint brushes to scrape, sand, prime, and paint various surfaces. They clean paint brushes, pans, and perform general clean-up after work is completed.

Here's how house painters use paint brushes:

Moved equipment and cleaned paint brushes, rollers after work was completed.
Paint small items and perform touch-up painting using paint brushes.

10. Steel Wool

Steel wool is a type of fine wire wool used for cleaning and polishing. House painters use steel wool to smooth rough spots and remove paint with paint removers. They also use it to scrape away rust from metal surfaces before painting. They smooth surfaces using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, and sanding machines.

Here's how house painters use steel wool:

Smoothed rough spots with brushes, steel wool.
Removed paint with paint removers, sand paper, steel wool, metal scrapers and wire brushes.

11. Painting Projects

Painting projects involve estimating, planning, scheduling, executing, and billing for residential projects. House painters prepare buildings to be painted, apply paint, and work independently or with teams on residential and commercial projects to maximize productivity. They also execute daily operations of painting projects throughout public buildings.

Here's how house painters use painting projects:

Estimate, plan, schedule, execute, and bill for residential painting projects
Completed house painting projects, both interior and exterior Dedicated long and necessary hours to complete projects by specific deadlines

12. Spray Guns

Spray guns are devices that spray paint or other materials onto surfaces. House painters use spray guns in various ways. They operate spray-painting equipment, including air-assisted electrostatic spray guns, to apply heated coating materials. They also use spray guns to apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, and other finishes to equipment, buildings, and other structures. They paint interior and exterior surfaces using brushes, rollers, and spray guns.

Here's how house painters use spray guns:

Paint application via brushes, rollers, spray guns.
Operate spray-painting equipment including air-assisted electrostatic spray guns and ability to adjust sprayer to reach required coverage and finish.

13. Caulking Guns

Caulking guns are tools used to apply caulk, a substance used to seal and protect surfaces. House painters use caulking guns to apply caulk to various surfaces, such as windows, doors, and walls. They use the guns to apply caulk in a smooth, even layer, ensuring a seamless finish.

Here's how house painters use caulking guns:

Experienced in applying caulking compounds by hand or with caulking guns.
Plaster or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.

14. Putty Knives

A putty knife is a hand tool used for scraping, smoothing, and cleaning surfaces. House painters use putty knives to fill cracks and holes with putty or other fillers. They also use them to scrape and smooth surfaces before painting. This helps create a smooth and even finish.

Here's how house painters use putty knives:

Used tools such as hand sprayers, paint sprayers, putty knives, blowtorch cutting metal and stick weld.
Acquired appropriate painting tools, rollers, brushes, paint buckets, putty knives and cleaning rags.

15. Residential Homes

Here's how house painters use residential homes:

Worked as part of a small crew that painted residential homes.
Cleaned and prepared residential homes for rental or purchasing.

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