THE BEST ROLLER FOR PAINTING
What's the best paint roller you ask? Well that depends!

Dale Dorey
4 min readMay 28, 2019

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The surface you’re painting determines what the best paint roller for your job will be and the nap (the thickness of the woven cover) you will need.

Thick 3/4″ or 20mm nap paint roller covers are best used on stucco, decks, brick, and masonry. This thick and fluffy nap can hold more paint and get into the crevices of the rough surface.

Medium 3/8″ or 15mm nap paint roller covers are best for ceilings and walls.

Small 1/4″ or 10 cm nap paint roller covers will produce the smoothest finish and are ideal for use on trim and doors.

It’s important to choose the right size nap for your project. If you use a thick 3/4″ nap roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface. You should use a 3/8″ or 15mm nap cover to produce a smooth finish.
If you use a thin 1/4″ or 10mm cover over stucco, the cover will rip apart quickly and not get paint into all the crevices of the surface.

So therefore the best paint roller is dependent on the project you are working on.

The best roller covers are made of woven materials and have a plastic core.

Cheap rollers have a paper or cardboard core and when wet with paint fall apart quickly. I know because I have tried them to see.

Each brand has different colors, but the majority are white, yellow, or blue.
Microfiber rollers have become popular recently too. In my opinion the microfiber give you a far superior finish.
When you see a white roller cover with diagonal blue stripes,chances are it’s microfiber.
They are best used on light to medium textured interior surfaces.
For very smooth surfaces, use a white woven short nap roller. It will provide you with an ultra fine finish.

What is the Best Roller Frame for Your Paint Project?

There are two basic types of paint roller frames: large 9″ long roller frames and a smaller 4″ style. Get my favorite roller frame here

The large roller is better for big surfaces like walls and ceilings, while the 4″ style is ideal for doors, furniture, and cabinets.

If needed, you can screw on a painting roller extension pole to each roller frame to reach high places.
I believe you should always use an extension pole. The Shurlock from Wooster Paint Brush Company is my favorite and you can find it here.
By using an extension pole you are able to reach top to bottom without stopping.
This is a crucial part of achieving a professional finish.
The second reason I suggest you use an extension pole is that it reduces arm fatigue.
The roller frame simply screws on and off and the poles are available in various sizes.

To attach the roller cover to the paint roller frame, simply align the hole in the cover with the end of the frame and push it on.

My Best Roller Tips:

Always buy the best rollers and covers that you can afford.

They will last much longer and give you superb results.

Bargain roller covers may break apart quickly and can leave lint in your paint finish.

Make sure they say “lint free”

Don’t use excessive pressure to apply paint—the weight of the roller is all that is needed.

Remove your roller cover from the roller frame right after you are finished painting.

Use soap and water to clean up after using latex paint. Hold the roller cover under running water and squeeze your hand over the roller to remove the paint. Repeat until all the paint is out of the roller, then let dry.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my article. Please don't forget to leave a comment and Subscribe.📫

Until Next Time,
Dale

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Contact Information

Dale Dorey Drywall and Painting

Swan River, Manitoba

204-734-3490

info@daledorey.com

www.daledorey.com

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