4 Cheap Tools That Make Restoring an Old House Easier

#1: 3M Stripping Pads

These come in all different grits, which is very handy. What makes these stripping pads so useful is how flexible they are. You can crumble them up, fold them, or shape them to fit into tight spaces where a sander or sanding block just will not work.

Old houses are full of curves, grooves, and ornate details. These pads let you get into all of that without fighting the tool. They are also great for light cleaning, not just stripping or sanding. I usually buy a few packs and always have a few on hand.

If you restore old stuff, these are a no brainer.

#2: Painter’s Multi-Tool

I feel like everyone owns one of these at some point. Then if you are not painting every day, it gets tossed in a drawer and forgotten.

Once I resharpened mine and started carrying it with me, I use it almost every day. Scraping, prying, cleaning out joints, popping trim loose carefully. It does a little bit of everything.

The key is keeping it sharp and within reach.

You can get these at your local paint store, hardware shop, or online. I like this one from Amazon.

#3: Contour Sanding Grips

Contour sanding grips are basically sanding blocks, but way more useful. I have about fifteen of them in different shapes. Each one is designed for a different angle, curve, molding profile, or corner.

You just wrap a piece of sandpaper around the grip and go. Once you start using these on old trim and detailed millwork, there is no going back. Flat sanding blocks do not cut it when nothing in the house is actually flat.

I genuinely do not know how I ever worked without them.

#4: A Proper Respirator Mask

If you bought an old house and you are renovating it, you are going to need a good mask. I prefer this mask (available on Amazon).

This is less of a tool and more of piece of protective equipment, so here are few tips to make sure you are using your mask safely.

Get the Right Cartridge

The first thing to get right is pairing the cartridge to the job. The one I use most often is a P100, but there are several different cartridges. Some are better for dust, some are better for vapors, and some do both. You have to read the box. If you grab the wrong cartridge, you are basically just wearing an accessory that does nothing.

Store Your Mask Properly

Next is storage. These cartridges are usually rated for around 40 hours of use, but only if you store them correctly. When you are done, put them in an airtight container like a Ziploc bag or Tupperware. If you leave them out, they are filtering the air even when you are not wearing them, which shortens their life fast.

Ensure a Good Fit

Fit matters more than anything. The mask needs to seal tight to your face and should not wiggle at all. Most respirators have a simple fit test you can do at home to make sure it is sealed properly.

And yes, this part matters. No facial hair. Beards break the seal. That is why firefighters have mustaches and not beards.

Final Thoughts

Check out our Amazon Storefront for all of our favorite tools and renovation must-haves.

Want more tool recommendations and home renovation tips? Be sure to follow us @dgilpinproperties on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links.