Tips and Tricks for Evenly Painting With a Roller

Painting with a roller is infinitely easier than painting with a brush. Rollers allow you to cover more area in a shorter period, with less streaking. Getting it right takes some practice. Here are a few tips to help you get a great paint job every time.

Get a Good Synthetic Blend Roller Cover

Low-quality rollers often do not absorb the paint as they should. This leads to streaks or a strange texture. You can apply the paint evenly using a high-quality synthetic blend roller with a short nap.

Do Your Prep Work

Preparing the area for paint is the best way to start the job correctly. You should:

• Turn off the power and remove light fixtures or fans
• Move everything possible out of the room you are painting
• Wash your walls down to remove any dust or debris
• Fill any holes or gaps
• Tape off baseboards and windows to avoid getting paint on them

Although this seems like a lot of extra work, having a properly prepared workspace will make your job easier in the long run.

Gather Your Supplies

Make sure you have the right tools for the job. You will need:

• Paint
• Rollers
• Roller covers
• A Ladder
• A putty knife or paint scraper
• Paint tray

Wet Your Roller Cover

Before you start painting, wet your roller in water. This will prime the roller, so it takes the paint better. You do not have to soak it; you only have to get it damp. Don’t forget to remove the excess water with a paper towel before you begin to paint.

Use a Paint Tray

Paint trays are specifically designed for rollers. Pour some paint into the deep end of the tray, and then use its natural slope and ridges to apply paint to your roller.

Do Not Use Too Much Paint

One of the biggest mistakes people make while painting is putting too much paint on the roller. Using a tray, put your roller on the deep end of the tray and roll the roller back towards the ridges in the try. This squeezes the excess paint out. Painting evenly is not difficult when you do not have too much paint on the roller.

Paint Diagonally

Use a “W” motion when painting with a roller. This keeps the paint even without causing lines where the edge of the roller is. Repeat this motion before the paint dries.

Do Not Press Too Hard

You want to use moderate pressure when you are using a roller. Too much pressure will cause the paint to drip unevenly, and too little pressure does not apply enough paint.

Choose the Right Time To Paint

It can get incredibly cold and incredibly humid in Portland. Pick a day to paint when the weather is moderate. Too humid or too cold your paint will not dry properly.

Painting evenly can be difficult. Fortunately, there is a Portland painter that can help. At Pacific Coast Painting, we have more than ten years of experience in the Portland area. You can contact us through our website or call us at 503-444-7960. We are always happy to help.