Beyond the Brush: 7 Other Tools You Need to Refinish Furniture

Before applying a new coat of paint or stain, you often need to return existing furniture back to its raw, unfinished state. Take the hard work out of this task by enlisting a superhero scraper. The dual-edge, 2-½-inch carbide blade on the MaxxGrip Pro® Carbide Scraper with Pull Knob cleanly strips away finicky paint finishes. Better yet, the ergonomic grip and pull knob (which can double as a hammerhead) comfortably lend two-handed traction for tackling rugged surfaces and securing nails and screws as you go. Available from HYDE; $29.62.

From chair rails to stair spindles, contoured wood surfaces and trim all around the house will bid goodbye to paint, putty, caulk, and even rust when you break out this steely Quick Release Contour Scraper. Effortlessly guide one of the scraper’s 12 scraping edges into all those formerly hard-to-navigate nooks and crannies, and when you’re done, just use the quick-release lever to swap out blades with ease. Available from HYDE; $21.12.

Is old, peeling paint or a few minor blemishes all that stand between you and a pristine paint finish? Skip those traditional wire brushes that can flub the finish—or damage the sensitive surface beneath it—in favor of this wiry wunderkind. Featuring a handle with a built-in plastic scraper, nylon bristles for all-purpose cleaning, and a brass-bristle detail brush for scratch-proof refinishing of metallic surfaces, this multi-tool is a toolbox triple threat. Available from HYDE; $3.74.

Painting fixtures like cabinet doors or shutters while they’re lying on a drop cloth can result in a sticky mess with the potential to smear the drying paint as you continue on. The nonstick, chemical-resistant points of the Painter’s Pyramids can keep up to 200 pounds of furnishings off the ground—and smudge-free—as you paint. And because the pyramids support the workpiece with minimal contact, you can flip it over and paint the second side without waiting for the first to dry! Available from HYDE; $9.26 for a 10-pack.

Gone are the days of having to juggle painting tools while you teeter on a ladder in quest of a perfect paint finish. Instead, let the Painter’s Assistant free up your hands—and preserve you from many a precarious situation. You can offload your paintbrush by clipping it to the magnetized surface of this miracle multi-tool and attach the grip to a paint can, ladder, or tool belt. Use it to open paint cans or even carry a paint bucket. And at the end of the job, it can help you clean off your brush and roller! From HYDE, available at The Home Depot; $4.97.

Has sanding your latest drywall or woodworking project left you—and your home—in the dust? Clear it with the patented Dust-Free Sponge Sander. Equipped with a hose that connects an angled, medium-grit sanding sponge to any wet/dry vacuum, this compact carpentry companion can outmaneuver traditional hand sanders, even in small spaces, narrow channels, or tight corners, without leaving any gritty evidence behind. From HYDE, available at Sherwin-Williams; $15.99.

When left lingering on prepped surfaces, even almost imperceptible traces of dirt and other particles can result in a bumpy or poorly adhering finish after painting. Ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish by keeping the 18-inch Tack Cloth in your tool belt. When wiped over metal, wood, or plaster before painting or refinishing, the chemically treated cheesecloth traps dirt, sawdust, and sanding debris, helping you achieve a professional-quality job. Available from HYDE; $2.36.