What is the best type of paint roller to use on walls?

What is the Best Paint Roller for Your Paint Project?

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Have you ever found yourself bewildered in the paint aisle, staring at the different types of paint roller covers? With various thicknesses and colors, it can be overwhelming. Most covers are made from woven materials and typically come in colors like white, yellow, or blue.

The choice of roller cover thickness is crucial for a successful paint job:

Recommended Thickness for Different Surfaces

• Stucco, Decks, Brick, and Masonry: Use thick 3/4" roller covers for better paint absorption.
• Ceilings and Drywall: Medium 3/8" roller covers are ideal.
• Wood, Metal, and Walls: Small 1/4" roller covers or foam rollers yield the smoothest finish.
• Light to Medium Textured Surfaces: Microfiber rollers work best here.
• Smooth Surfaces: A white woven short nap roller provides an ultra-fine finish. Beware that using a thick 3/4" roller on smooth surfaces might result in an undesirable orange peel texture.

Choosing the right thickness ensures that you apply paint effectively without ruining the texture of the surface.

Two main sizes of paint roller frames exist: the larger 9" frame for extensive areas and a compact 4" frame suited for smaller applications:

Paint Roller Size

• Walls and Ceilings: A 9" roller is better for large surfaces.
• Doors, Furniture, and Cabinets: A 4" roller is more appropriate.

The sooner you begin your painting project, the faster you'll finish. Follow the instructions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

How To Use A Paint Roller

To get started on your paint project effectively, gather the following materials:

Get Your Materials

1. A paint roller.
2. A paint tray.
3. A paint tray liner.
4. A damp rag.
5. A gallon of your preferred paint, such as Glidden.
6. A drop cloth or plastic tarp to protect your floors and furniture.

Prepping the Paint Roller

1. Align the roller cover’s hole with the end of the roller frame and push it on.
2. Prep the roller using a damp rag.
3. Squeeze the roller 3-4 times with the rag to ensure it's moist.
4. Consider attaching a painting roller extension pole for hard-to-reach areas.

Prepping the Paint Tray

1. Place a plastic liner in the paint tray, ensuring it’s secure.
2. Position the tray for easy access near the area you're painting.
3. Pour paint into the tray, filling the deep pocket roughly a quarter of the way.
4. Avoid overfilling.

Dipping The Paint Roller

1. Roll the paint roller back and forth in the tray, ensuring it's evenly covered with paint.
2. Apply the paint with light and even pressure for best results.

Note: Always refer to the product label or the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for safety and application details.

Clean-up

1. Remove the roller cover from the frame immediately after finishing your painting.
2. Clean with soap and water for latex paint. Rinse under running water while squeezing to remove paint and repeat until clean. Never soak the cover.

How to Choose a Paint Roller Cover

Roller cover nap sizes or the thickness of the fibers vary according to your project needs. Low-nap rollers pick up less paint, great for smooth surfaces, while high-nap rollers hold more paint, suitable for larger projects.

When painting uniform surfaces, like drywall and metal, opt for smaller nap sizes, such as 1/4 inch for an even finish, while slightly larger naps may be necessary for textured walls, and even larger for outdoor jobs on rough surfaces.

For detailed information, please refer to types of paint brushes for walls.