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11 unexpected ways to use a painter’s combination tool

Published: May 24, 2022 Updated: June 19, 2022
The end of a handle on a painter's combination tool with a small screw driver top.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Turn small screws

The end of a handle on a painter's combination tool with a metal cap on the edge.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Pound down the paint can’s lid using the metal cap on the handle

The cap also protects the handle from hammer taps when you’re using the tool to pry off mouldings.

A painter's combination tool, with the beer bottle opener circled.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Crack open a beer when the job’s done

(Or a near-beer while you’re working).

A painter's combination tool with the curved edge used for squeegeeing paint rollers circled.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Squeegee excess paint out of a paint roller before cleaning it

Save paint, time, and water.

A painter's combination tool with the central hole used for pulling a nail circled.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Pull a nail

A painter's combination tool with the stout edge used for prying a paint can circled.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Pry open a paint can

A painter's combination tool with the long flat edge on the end circled.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Scrape off loose paint with the bevelled edge or apply putty with the flat edge

A painter’s tool is too rigid to easily feather out a lot of drywall mud on a seam, but if a dab’ll do ya (to fill a nail hole or make a small repair, for example), the flat edge works.

A painter's combination tool with the pointy end on the edge of the tool circled.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Scrape caulk out of corners

Place this point in the rim of a paint can. Tap it down with a hammer to puncture the rim; any paint that slops into the rim drains back into the can.

A painter's combination tool with the curvy edge on the back end of the tool circled.
Photo by Liam Mogan
Scrape spindles and other convex curvy surfaces with this edge

Tackle concave mouldings with the next edge down.

When it’s not masquerading as a Rock Gnome’s improvised weapon in your Dungeons and Dragons cosplay, the painter’s combination tool is handy for attacking other jobs around the cottage. The tool costs less than $20, depending on the brand and the number of functions it promises. What can you do with it? A lot.

This article was originally published in the May 2022 issue of Cottage Life magazine.

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