Best Foam Rollers—FoamPRO 185 Foam Paint Brush Refills
A good foam roller is a must when it comes to painting cabinet doors, and this set comes with two pint-sized versions at a decent cost. It meanders across any smooth surface leaving nothing but an equally smooth coat and no fuzz.
Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4″ nap roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. Light to Medium Textured Surfaces - Microfiber rollers are best. Smooth Surfaces - Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish.
Before your final coat of paint, gently sand your cabinets using 300-400 grit sandpaper. This super-fine sandpaper will knock down any brush strokes and roller marks to give you a super smooth surface to work with. Be sure your paint brush is clean and the bristles are smooth.
The Verdict
Overall, the foam roller provided the smoothest finish, but having to apply three coats is a bummer. The velour roller finish is *almost* as good, with minimal shedding, and covers in two coats.
You can use paint rollers to paint baseboards. A smooth-medium, 3-inch roller should work well. Ensure that your roller is lump-free and consistent when touched. Also, remove lint with tape before using the roller.
A small 4” foam roller is best for painting cabinets.
The small handle allows you to easily control where the paint goes while being able to fit into smaller spaces. You can also easily use a small roller to smooth out most places you even used a brush to apply cabinet paint.
On the fronts and backs of drawers and doors, you can use a roller. This will apply the paint in a more smooth and even manner and is much faster than only using a paint brush. Then, use a brush for touching up small areas or for hard-to-reach spots.
Smooth: If you find massage uncomfortable or have a 'low pain threshold' then a smooth ball is for you. Spikey/Grid: If you like a firm massage, you can tolerate the sensation of trigger point release (pressing firmly on a tight muscle) then a spikey or grid like surface may suit you.
Rolling over an acutely torn muscle could hinder the repair of the muscle and at the very least would be incredibly uncomfortable and painful. Please note that scientific evidence supporting the use of foam rolling for therapeutic reasons is sparse and caution should be taken by anyone who uses them.
DON'T roll directly on a joint or a bone. DO seek the advice of a professional if you have neck pain; the neck is too sensitive for foam rolling, and you could cause yourself serious injury. DON'T roll your lower back; this will cause the spine to contract in an effort to protect the spine.
1. Tennis Ball/Lacrosse Ball/Baseball. Although foam rollers target larger muscle groups, self-myofascial release may also be done using any smaller-sized athletic ball. It is beneficial to use a tennis ball to target smaller muscle areas which foam rollers cannot reach.
We usually use professional-grade lacquer because it has a lovely, silky-smooth feel to it, and is what cabinet manufacturers use. We think it's the best paint for cabinets, hands-down (although there are some great pro-level water-based options as well).
If you're looking for a finish that will shine and reflect light once it hits it, opt for a semi-gloss finish. As the most popular sheen, semi-gloss provides your kitchen cabinets with a nice shine that is not overbearing.
Air bubbles will appear on the surface when working with a foam roller. This is a natural process. It is the air within the foam that is being transmitted onto your surface. Allow for air bubbles to dry naturally (no breeze or wind within the room) and it will vanish completely once dry.
Foam rollers glide along a smooth flat surface very easily and dispense the paint on the surfaces evenly. Foam rollers tend to last a shorter period of time than traditional rollers. They are excellent tools for a painter who does not perform painting jobs on a routine basis.
Each roller has a different thickness of fabric or “nap”, specifically designed for different surfaces around the home. The thicker the nap or length of fabric, the more paint a roller will hold. The thicker the nap, the rougher the surface the roller is designed for.
Sand Trim Between Coats for an Ultra-Smooth Finish
And if you don't sand the surface smooth between coats, the finish may have a grainy texture. For a smooth finish, sand the trim before applying each coat of paint. Sand the trim with a fine-grit sanding sponge.