Tools for painting a room: paint brush and roller sizes, in job order
The tools for painting a room, in job order, are: a scraper and wire brush to remove loose paint, sandpaper to smooth the surface, masking tape to protect edges, a 9" roller for the walls and ceiling, and paint brushes for corners, edges and trim. A 2" or 3" brush handles most cutting-in, and a 4" to 6" brush covers wide boards. In Nairobi in October 2026, the Knicker Paint Roller Brush 9" starts at KSh 6,090 for a carton of 60, and the Knicker Paint Brush #510 in 2" is KSh 18,100 for a carton of 480.
Painting tools at a glance
| Step | Tool | Sizes or options | Wholesale pack and price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Strip | Knicker Scraper, Plastic Handle | 1" to 6" | From KSh 6,265 / carton of 240 (1") |
| 1. Strip | Knicker Scraper, Rubber Handle | 1" to 6" | From KSh 8,700 / carton of 120 (1") |
| 1. Strip | Knicker Wire Brush, Plastic Handle | 4 row, 6 row | 6 row: KSh 6,090 / carton of 100; 4 row: KSh 7,830 / carton of 108 |
| 2. Smooth | Sandpaper Roll | P.36, P.40, P.60, P.80, P.100, P.120 | KSh 5,800 to KSh 6,670 / carton of 4 rolls |
| 3. Protect | Knicker Masking Tape, Paper | 1" x 15m, 2" x 15m | 1": KSh 6,265 / carton of 144; 2": KSh 6,790 / carton of 72 |
| 4. Red oxide | Gemlight Red Oxide S130 | 25 kg bag | KSh 9,425 / bag of 25 kg |
| 5. Walls | Knicker Paint Roller Brush 9" | Metal handle, plastic H/D, plastic L/D, plastic economy | KSh 6,090 to KSh 23,200 per carton |
| 5. Edges and trim | Knicker Paint Brush #510 | 1" to 6" | From KSh 12,530 / carton of 120 (5") |
| 5. Edges and trim | Knicker Paint Brush #273 | 2" to 6" | From KSh 20,880 / carton of 120 (5") |
| 6. Touch-up | Knicker Spray Paint | 10 colours | From KSh 2,610 / carton of 12 tins |
Step 1: what do you need to strip old paint?
Good paint fails on a bad surface, so preparation comes first. A scraper lifts flaking paint, old wallpaper and filler ridges. Use a narrow blade (1" to 2") around window frames and a wide blade (4" to 6") on open wall.
The Knicker Scraper, Plastic Handle comes in cartons of 240: the 1" is KSh 6,265 (about KSh 26 a piece), the 3" is KSh 8,355 (about KSh 35 a piece), the 4" is KSh 9,745 and the 6" is KSh 17,400 (about KSh 72 a piece). The Knicker Scraper, Rubber Handle comes in cartons of 120, from KSh 8,700 for 1" to KSh 13,050 for 6" (about KSh 109 a piece). Many painters prefer the rubber grip for long scraping jobs.
On rusty steel such as gates, grilles and window frames, a wire brush clears loose rust and scale before priming. The Knicker Wire Brush 6 row is KSh 6,090 for a carton of 100 (about KSh 61 a piece), and the 4 row is KSh 7,830 for a carton of 108 (about KSh 72 a piece).
Step 2: which sandpaper grit should you use, P36 to P120?
The lower the P number, the coarser the paper. Start coarse to remove material, then move finer to smooth it. The Sandpaper Roll is sold in cartons of 4 rolls.
- P.36 and P.40 (coarse): heavy removal of old paint, rust and rough timber. P.36 is KSh 6,670 a carton (about KSh 1,668 a roll); P.40 is KSh 6,380 (about KSh 1,595 a roll).
- P.60 and P.80 (medium): general smoothing of walls, filler and wood. KSh 5,800 a carton (about KSh 1,450 a roll).
- P.100 and P.120 (fine): final sanding before paint and light sanding between coats. KSh 5,800 a carton.
Step 3: masking tape, 1" or 2"?
Masking tape protects switches, window glass, skirting and the line between two colours. The 1" width suits most edges; the 2" width gives a wider margin on glass and floors. The Knicker Masking Tape, Paper 1" x 15m is KSh 6,265 for a carton of 144 (about KSh 44 a roll), and the 2" x 15m is KSh 6,790 for a carton of 72 (about KSh 94 a roll).
Step 4: do you need red oxide primer?
On bare or rusty steel, a red oxide primer goes on after wire brushing and before the top coat. The Gemlight Red Oxide S130 is sold as a 25 kg bag at KSh 9,425, not as a tin of ready-mixed primer, so ask us on WhatsApp how it is used before you order it for steel. Walls and ceilings do not need red oxide.
Step 5: which paint brush and roller sizes do you need?
A 9" roller is the standard tool for walls and ceilings. It covers large areas fast and leaves an even finish. The Knicker Paint Roller Brush 9" comes in four options, all 9": metal handle at KSh 10,005 for a carton of 60 (about KSh 167 a piece); plastic blue heavy duty at KSh 8,265 for 60 (about KSh 138); plastic blue light duty at KSh 6,090 for 60 (about KSh 102); and a plastic economy roller at KSh 23,200 for a carton of 200 (about KSh 116).
Brushes do the work a roller cannot: cutting in at ceilings and corners, doors, frames and skirting. As a rule of thumb, use a 1" to 1.5" brush for narrow frames and window bars, a 2" to 3" brush for cutting in and doors, and a 4" to 6" brush for wide boards, gates and walls where a roller will not fit.
There are two brush lines. The Knicker Paint Brush #510 runs from 1" to 6" and suits volume buyers: 1" is KSh 24,360 for a carton of 1,200 (about KSh 20 a piece), 2" is KSh 18,100 for 480 (about KSh 38), 3" is KSh 20,880 for 360 (about KSh 58), 4" is KSh 19,140 for 240 (about KSh 80) and 6" is KSh 14,965 for 120 (about KSh 125). The Knicker Paint Brush #273 runs from 2" to 6" and sits at a higher price per piece: 2" is KSh 34,800 for 480 (about KSh 72), 3" is KSh 36,540 for 360 (about KSh 102), 4" is KSh 33,060 for 240 (about KSh 138) and 6" is KSh 26,100 for 120 (about KSh 218). For fine lettering and detail, the Artist Brush 251-12 is KSh 73,950 for a carton of 600.
Step 6: spray paint for small metal touch-ups
For grilles, small fittings and quick touch-ups, an aerosol is faster than a brush. Knicker Spray Paint is sold in cartons of 12 tins, in 10 colours: Blue, Black, Green, Yellow, White, Red and Matt Black at KSh 2,610 a carton (about KSh 218 a tin); 18K Gold and Chrome Silver at KSh 2,785; and 33 Bright Gold and Silver at KSh 3,135. Spray in thin coats in a ventilated space.
Which one should you buy?
- Repainting walls and ceilings: 9" roller, a 2" or 3" #510 brush for cutting in, 1" masking tape and P.80 or P.120 sandpaper.
- Old flaking paint: add a rubber-handle scraper and P.40 sandpaper.
- Steel gates and grilles: wire brush, a metal primer, then a 3" or 4" brush.
- Shops stocking for fundis: a carton of #510 brushes in 2" and 3", the plastic H/D roller and plastic-handle scrapers.
- Touch-ups: Knicker Spray Paint.
Where to buy
Everything in this guide is in our Paint & Decorating range, part of the wider Tools & Hardware range. These lines are sold wholesale only, by the pack (carton, bag or packet), never as single pieces. If you need only one or two pieces, share a carton with other fundis or shops, or buy for stock. Collect from our Nairobi trade counter at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road (Mon–Sat 8:00–17:30), or order for countrywide delivery at KSh 350 flat, free on orders over KSh 15,000. Pay by M-Pesa or card. Trade buyers can request a quote on the trade page, or send your list on WhatsApp +254 724 505 919.
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Common questions
What size roller do I need for walls?
A 9" roller is the standard size for walls and ceilings. The Knicker Paint Roller Brush 9" starts at KSh 6,090 for a carton of 60 in Nairobi, October 2026.
What is the difference between P40 and P120 sandpaper?
P40 is coarse and removes material fast. P120 is fine and gives a smooth finish before painting. Work from coarse to fine.
Which brush size suits cutting in?
Most painters cut in with a 2" or 3" brush. Go narrower (1" to 1.5") for window frames and bars.
Can I buy just one paint brush?
No. This range is sold wholesale by the carton. If you need only one or two brushes, share a carton with other painters or buy it for stock.
Do I need primer on steel before painting?
On bare or rusty steel, yes: brush off loose rust, then apply a metal primer before the top coat.