All About Using Paint Rollers for Home Projects

Interior wall and ceiling painting became more of a homeowner-friendly job with the introduction of the paint roller. A wide variety of synthetic fibers along with the deep pile or nap designs make paint rollers practical for all surfaces, smooth or rough, inside and outside of the home.

Paint Roller Basics

Most rollers have a standard inside diameter of 1-12" and are commonly available in 7" and 9" widths. For other applications such as corner and more narrow areas, smaller widths and shapes can also be purchased. Wider rollers with greater inside diameters for larger projects are manufactured and can be found at many hardware stores, home centers, and industrial supply locations.

Paint roller handles also come in standard widths and inside diameters which makes changing rollers a simple task. The old paint roller cover slides off quickly and the new one slips on in its place. On some models however, the outer roller disk is held in place a wing nut. The disk has a shoulder that aids in holding the roller in place and the wing nut must be removed to change the paint roller covering.

It is always a good idea to buy quality paint rollers for your home painting projects. The materials used in higher quality paint rollers allows them to last longer, provide better coverage, and can also be cleaned and reused many times.

Choosing a Paint Roller

The type of painting to be done in the home will determine what kind of paint roller will be required. Shorter nap fibers work well with enamel paints, semi-gloss finishes, and lacquers while deeper nap rollers of 3/8" work best for flat painting on smooth walls. For rough surfaces like stucco or shingles, even deeper nap paint roller covers are available. Check with your local hardware store and home center representative to discuss the proper size for the job.

Using a Paint Roller

When using paint rollers, be sure to load the roller uniformly with paint on all sides of the cover. Roll the excess paint out of the paint roller on the tray before beginning to paint. This step will help to prevent dripping.

When starting to paint vertically, make the first stroke in an upward direction, slowly and steadily until the paint roller cover begins to dry. This method will also aid in preventing drips. Keep the pressure consistent on the paint roller handle and avoid increasing pressure to squeeze out more paint.

Cleaning a Paint Roller

To clean a paint roller cover after use, roll out the excess paint on newspaper. Keep changing the paper until no more paint comes off the roller. Remove the roller cover from the handle and wash clean with the appropriate cleaner. Latex paints wash clean with water while oil base paints and lacquers will require a solvent. Check manufacturer's recommendations.

Remember, always work safely.