PAINT ROLLERS A smaller roller is great for trimming or narrow areas, while larger rollers are great for interior walls or ceilings. Consider the paint's finish or sheen: Gloss and semi-gloss paints go on better with short-nap rollers because this generates fewer bubbles when you're rolling out the paint.
When it comes to the application of semi-gloss paint, using a roller is always a good and preferred choice. You will want to choose the thickness of your roller, based on the type of surface you're painting. For rough and imperfect surfaces, you will want to go for a long pile roller.
Semi-gloss on a smooth wall is tricky. Count on 2-3 coats. Use a short nap roller and keep it wet. Don't stretch the paint out. Backroll it all in the same direction.
Soft Nylon & Polyester—Use this type of bristle for all paints, especially semi-gloss and satin finishes. They provide extra flex for smooth application, leave few brush marks, and have an excellent paint capacity.
Avoid Roller Marks When Painting Walls by using a paint extender like Floetrol or M1. This product will slow down the drying time and stop the pant from stippling and creating roller marks when painting your home.
To achieve a smooth finish without brush marks or roller lines and stipple, we recommend the “roll and back tip” technique. This method ensures an even coat without leaving behind visible brush or roller marks. First, load your roller with paint and apply it in a long even stroke along a section of trim or door.
Microfiber—Holds up to three times more paint than a standard roller cover and provides the smoothest finish; works with all paints, enamel and sheens, and best with semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes like ADVANCE®, an interior paint that's perfect for doors, trim and cabinetry.
Gloss and semi-gloss paints go on better with short-nap rollers because this generates fewer bubbles when you're rolling out the paint.
Fine-grit sandpaper: Use 220-320 grit sandpaper for best results in creating a smooth surface without damaging the underlying coat. Sanding technique: Lightly scuff-sand (not too aggressively) so as not to remove excess paint while still achieving good bonding conditions for additional layers.
Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4″ 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.
Are glossier paints harder to apply? The application process of glossier paints like satin and semi-gloss doesn't differ from that of other paint sheens.
Use light pressure: As mentioned earlier, avoid pressing too hard on the roller as this can cause unwanted textures. Instead, use light pressure and let the roller do the work for you. Roll in one direction: When laying on the paint, roll in one direction to avoid creating visible lines or uneven coverage.
Best Roller for Semi Gloss Paint
A woven roller cover is most ideal for high sheen paints such as the semi-gloss finish. The woven roller reduces the amount of lint as the fibers making up the roller are locked into the backing.
As a rule of thumb, you should always expect to apply two coats of paint regardless of what the label says.
Preparing semi-gloss surfaces for new paint consists of cleaning, sanding, and priming – precisely in that order. Doing so will provide texture to the surface so that the new paint can adhere properly.
Exposure to moisture or condensation while drying. Temperature fluctuations during drying. Coating over a porous surface. Paint applied at uneven film thickness (i.e. lapping)
Woven roller covers are more shed-resistant, so they're better for gloss and semi-gloss finishes, which can highlight lint left over from the roller. For flat, eggshell, and satin finishes, knit roller covers do the job more efficiently.
Professional painters typically use both brushes and rollers when painting. Brushes are used to apply paint in tight spaces or areas with intricate details, while rollers are used for larger surfaces like walls and ceilings.
Load the brush with your gloss paint and wipe away any excess, then begin painting very gently and lightly in long strokes to achieve one final coat with the gloss and avoid brush marks.
Woven rollers are made from various synthetic fabrics, including polyester and microfibre. They come in several pile depths, so you can find the right tools for your decorating project. Woven rollers are ideal for applying water-based gloss paint.
Glossy paint: 1-1 ½ hours and 2 hours before applying the second coat. Semi-gloss: It takes roughly 1 hour to dry and 2 hours before applying the second coat. Matte Paint: 30 minutes to an hour for drying and 1-2 hours before applying the second coat.
Brushes are slower at painting gloss paint than rollers, so they are better suited for smaller areas or touch-ups that require precision.