Contact: Brian Santos
(813) 654-7044
(813) 340-5258

Tools That Rule
Straight from The WALL WIZARD’s Workshop

Paint a room like a pro when you make and use some of the inexpensive, nifty tools highlighted in Painting Secrets from Brian Santos, The Wall Wizard, the latest book from Brian Santos, America’s favorite paint and wallpaper guru.

"The right tools make a project go easier, faster, and safer," says Santos, "but that doesn't mean you have to bust your wallet purchasing all of your tools. In fact, some of my best tools are those I created to meet specific needs I have encountered over the thirty years I've been on the job."

Among Santo's cool tools:

• Bucket Stilts Create bucket stilts from 5-gallon paint buckets with lids. With double-sided hook-and-loop straps, a couple of bolts, fender washers, and nylon locknuts, you can strap the buckets to your feet to work a room from floor to ceiling without ever climbing a step.
• Painter's Belt What good is a tool if it's not with you? That's the logic behind making a painter's tool belt. Using a nylon web belt as a base, attach a dusting brush and holder, 5-in-1 tool and line, hook-and-look tape, and a 1-liter plastic soda bottle cut in half to create a belt that keeps all your painting tools within reach.
• 10-Second Paint Cleaner For every gallon of warm water, add ½ cut of fabric softener to a bucket. Dip your brush into the mixture, swish briskly and count to 10. Voila! The paint will release from the bristles and settle to the bottom of the bucket.
• Micro Paint Grid Cut a rectangle of #14 stainless steel screen mesh slightly larger than the inside dimensions of the paint tray. Measure in ¼ inch from the screen edge and bend the screen down to form the legs of the grid. Place the grid inside the paint tray to keep your paint pad from sinking too deep into the paint.
• Paint Bucket Trolley Cut a 5-gallon bucket off about 10 inches from the bottom. Attach it to a round plastic planter base with casters, then wrap 2-inch foam pipe insulation around the rim of the plant mover to make a bumper. Set a painting bucket into and you're rollin'!

And that's only the beginning. Painting Secrets is brimming with short cuts, time-honored tricks, and practical techniques that will help both the first-time and experienced painter produce a professional looking finish.

To reinforce painting pointers, Santos, a seasoned guest star at home improvement shows, uses the same "edutaining" demonstrations in his television appearances. Besides having a laid-back comedic style to complement his wealth of knowledge about painting and papering, Santos employs clever props—including wearing his famous "bucket stilts" stocked with a variety of homemade Wizard tools to an interview.

Santos is a fourth generation decorative artist who learned classical techniques from his father and grandfather. More recently, Santos has spent years lecturing and conducting demonstrations on the subject throughout the U.S. for industry giants like Sherwin-Williams, Imperial Wallcoverings, Home Depot, and Lowe's at home and garden shows throughout the world.

To book an appearance, receive a review copy of his latest book, Painting Secrets from Brian Santos, The Wall Wizard, or for more information, contact The Wizard's Workshop at (813) 654-7044, (813) 340-5258, or wallwiz@tampabay.rr.com.