This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin and by How.com.vn staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 2,985 times.
A good paint roller can make any painting project fast and easy. Spend a little more money to buy a high-quality roller that will apply the paint smoothly. A good roller won't absorb as much paint and it won't leave fibers in the paint. Match the size of the roller to your project area and choose a nap length according to your paint's sheen. Once you're finished painting, clean the roller immediately if you plan on using it again.
Steps
Selecting a Nap Length
Find a 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) nap for painting smooth surfaces, such as wood or metal. Choose a short-nap roller if you're painting a very smooth surface that could show streaks or imperfections, such as wood, walls, or metal. You should also select a short nap if you're painting smooth drywall or a surface with light texture.[1][2]- For a single-use roller, use a foam roller instead of one with woven or fabric nap. The foam will apply the paint without leaving streaks or lint.
Pick a 1⁄4 to 3⁄8 inch (0.64 to 0.95 cm) nap for medium-textured surfaces. A 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) nap is a standard nap size, which makes it a good choice for most painting projects. If you're painting ceilings or interior walls, use this size since it will pick up more paint than a roller with a shorter nap and will fill in a slightly textured surface.[3]- If you're still unsure about which nap is right for your project, start with a 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) nap. If the roller is picking up too much paint for the job, move down to a 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) nap.
Advertisement
Choose a 1 to 1 1⁄4 in (2.5 to 3.2 cm) nap if you're painting rough surfaces. A long nap is great for getting paint into the cracks or crevices of rough surfaces.[4] Look for a 1 to 1 1⁄4 in (2.5 to 3.2 cm) nap roller if you're painting:[5]- Brick
- Stucco
- Masonry
- Textured plaster
Advertisement
Picking a Roller Material
Select a foam roller if you're painting a smooth surface with high gloss paint. Very smooth surfaces can show streaks if you use a knit or woven roller. To apply paint without leaving lint or a bubbled texture, buy a foam roller. These are great for painting metal doors, cabinets, or trim.[6]- Because foam rollers don't last very well after using and washing them, most are considered to be single-use.
Buy a synthetic or blended roller cover for latex or acrylic paints. Covers made from polyester, nylon, or dacron work well with any latex, acrylic, or oil-based paint. For a longer-lasting cover, choose one that's a blend of polyester and wool. The wool helps the roller pick up more paint while the polyester prevents the roller from wearing out quickly.[7]- Synthetic covers don't pick up as much paint as a wool cover, but they last a long time when cared for properly.
Tip: Although you can use a blended cover for oil paint, it's fine to use a natural cover made from mohair or sheepskin. These are more expensive and can't be used with latex paint, but they apply oil paint well.
Feel the roller and buy one that has a tight weave. Brush your fingers over the roller material and pay attention to how loose or fluffy it feels. The material should feel tightly woven if it's a well-made roller. Don't buy a roller that releases lint or fibers when you brush it since these will end up in your paint.[8]- Keep in mind that it's easier to clean and reuse higher-quality rollers since the roller material won't fall away from the roller as easily.
Advertisement
Choosing a Roller Size
Buy a 9 in (23 cm) roller for most of your painting projects. A 9 in (23 cm) roller is easier hold and use than a larger one. It's also the right size for paint trays, which makes loading the roller with paint much simpler. You can use a 9 in (23 cm) roller to paint most interior or exterior walls.[9]- You'll also have more choices for roller covers if you use a 9 in (23 cm) paint roller because it's the most common size.
Choose a roller up to 18 inches (46 cm) in size for a very large project. If you need to paint a large surface area, such as a large room of smooth drywall, pick a roller that's up to 18 inches (46 cm) so you can apply a lot of paint very quickly.[10]- Keep in mind that holding a large roller can be tiring after a while. If you have a lot of large projects, consider using a paint sprayer instead.
Use a 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) roller if you'll be painting around windows or edges. It can be difficult to wedge a standard roller into a narrow space, so purchase a mini-roller. These are designed to easily paint along edges, around windows, and in tight spaces.[11]- If you don't want to buy a separate roller for cutting in around frames, use a small paintbrush instead.
Tip: You can buy special edge rollers made of foam. These are cut with an angle so you can run them along a straight edge to get a straight line.
Choose a matching roller frame that feels comfortable in your hand. If you're painting a large surface, such as the walls of a room, you'll want a roller that you can hold without straining your wrist. Pick up a roller frame and practice holding it as though you're painting. Don't buy the roller frame if it digs into your hand or is difficult to hold.[12]- If you'll be screwing the frame onto an extension pole, buy a frame that has threading on the bottom.
Advertisement
Caring for Your Paint Roller
Clean the roller immediately after finishing your project. Take a few minutes to wash your roller cover once you're done painting. This prevents the paint from drying between the fibers, which makes cleaning the roller more difficult.[13]- If you bought a cheap foam roller cover, you may not be able to wash it and use it again. Only wash the roller if you think it won't disintegrate.
Use warm water to rinse latex or acrylic paint from the roller. Use a rubber spatula to scrape excess paint from the roller into the paint can or tray. This reduces the amount of paint that you're washing down the drain. Then, take the roller to a sink and run warm water over it. Gently massage the roller to loosen the paint. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.[14]- Don't rinse oil-based paint in the sink since water won't remove the paint.
Soak the roller in paint thinner before rinsing it if you used oil-based paint. You can't simply rinse the oil-based paint roller in the sink since it can damage your plumbing. Instead, fill a bucket with paint thinner and put the roller in it. Soak the roller for at least 2 or 3 hours. Then, lift the roller out of the paint thinner and rinse the roller under cold water until the water runs clear.[15]- You could also use mineral spirits instead of paint thinner since it will also remove the oil-based paint.
- Don't pour the paint thinner down the sink. Follow the manufacturer's disposal instructions.
Tip: Work in a well-ventilated space so you don't breathe in the fumes from the paint thinner. Open windows or work outside, for instance.
Spin the roller to help it dry faster. Slide your clean fingers down the length of the paint roller to remove excess water. If you have a roller spinning tool, slide it into the roller and pump the tool up and down. It will quickly rotate the roller so water spins out.[16]- If you don't have a spinner, put the roller cover on the frame and use your hand to spin the cover so water flies out.
Dry the roller completely before storing it. Stand the roller upright so it dries evenly on all sides. Leave it at room temperature until it's completely dry. Then, slide the roller back into the package and store it flat until your next project.[17]- If you store the roller while it's still moist, the material can mildew or clump together.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
- QuestionCan I reuse a paint roller?
Jeff BaldwinJeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.
Residential PainterYes! To reuse a roller, scrape the paint from the sleeve, and rinse it in the sink. You can use soap to get it extra clean, and if you want it to be soft for the next time you paint, add some cream rinse and it out. Professional painters tend to spin the sleeve on the frame with a garden hose, and it is a very fast way to clean it, although you might get paint everywhere if you're not experienced doing this.
Video
Tips
- If you don't want to get on a ladder to paint a large wall or ceiling, purchase an extension pole that screws into the base of your roller frame.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-choose-roller
- ↑ Jeff Baldwin. Residential Painter. Expert Interview. 1 March 2021.
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-choose-roller
- ↑ Jeff Baldwin. Residential Painter. Expert Interview. 1 March 2021.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IsBQkGUz880?t=162
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IsBQkGUz880?t=105
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-choose-roller
- ↑ https://youtu.be/ozey6iL_wcE?t=19
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-choose-roller
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-choose-roller
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IsBQkGUz880?t=51
- ↑ https://youtu.be/41sWMDC9ne4?t=153
- ↑ https://youtu.be/AYiZRv8uuew?t=68
- ↑ https://youtu.be/AYiZRv8uuew?t=133
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IsBQkGUz880?t=224
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-clean-paint-brush
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IYTQx53Pzds?t=108
About this article
When you're buying a paint roller, you'll need to decide on the length of the nap and the size of the roller itself. The right nap length will depend on the roughness of the surface you're painting. Go with a 1/4-inch nap for smooth surfaces, like walls, wood, or metal, a 3/8-inch nap for medium-textured surfaces like ceilings, and a 1-inch nap for rough surfaces, like brick, stucco, and textured plaster. When it comes to the size of the roller, you usually can't go wrong with a 9-inch one. However, if you're painting a particularly large surface area, an 18-inch roller will be easier. If you're painting around windows or over narrow spaces, a 2-3 inch roller is the way to go. For tips on how to maintain your paint roller so it lasts longer, check out the full article below!
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
