Walls, ceilings and paneling require a slightly larger nap size of 3/8-inch; for lightly textured walls, decks and concrete, use a ½-inch nap; and for textured ceilings, stucco and masonry, use ¾-inch.
For the larger spaces of the wall, apply primer using a 9-inch paint roller with a 3/8 to 1/2-inch high quality roller cover. Fit the moistened roller cover onto your paint roller. Stir and pour the mixed primer into a paint tray. Dip the roller into the primer, making sure it's completely covered.
Ceilings and Drywall - Medium 3/8″ nap roller covers work best. 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.
For interior projects, foam or microfiber rollers with a 3/8-inch nap are usually used for smooth surfaces like walls and ceilings. For exterior projects, longer naps, such as 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch are best suited for rough surfaces like stucco or brick.
¼-inch nap is best for very smooth walls, ceilings, cabinetry, and other surfaces without texture, including metal. ⅜-inch nap is good for lightly textured surfaces, including most interior walls. ½-inch nap is a good length for moderately textured walls, paneling, and painted brick or concrete.
Medium Density Knit Polyester Roller Cover. Use it with flat or matte sheen latex or oil paints and stains, then dispose of it for easy cleanup. The 3/4 in. nap is perfect for interior and exterior rough surfaces, including highly textured walls, stucco and wood.
Thick or thin makes a big difference
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. The smoother the finish you want the lower the nap of roller you should use.
For smooth surfaces such as new drywall, choose a shorter nap (3/16” or 1/4") to evenly apply the paint.
For smooth plaster and drywall or light orange peel texture a 3/8″ nap will get you excellent coverage and leave very little roller stipple on your walls.
When painting a new drywall surface, choose a nap length between 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch. With a nap that short, the roller cover won't hold a lot of paint, but you'll be left with a smooth finish. For previously-painted drywall, use a 3/8-inch or 5/16-inch nap length. The longer nap will hold more paint.
Prep drywall for paint by gently sanding. Shop vac the walls and then use a damp cloth to clean. Let walls fully dry before painting. Roll or spray on your drywall primer.
You will want to use 2-3 coats of primer to ensure there is a good bond between the new paint and the wall, and also to cover up any previous colors, especially if they are red, orange, or a strange outdated color. In short, you will typically need 2 coats of primer for most painting projects.
A minimum of two coats of PVA primer is necessary when painting new drywall in order to prevent the paint finish from looking splotchy and uneven after drying. New drywall is like a sponge, and it's better to let it soak up inexpensive primer than expensive paint.
Foam rollers are not recommended for normal latex paints as their spongy texture creates air bubbles in the paint film which can then burst, leaving a cratered, orange peel effect. Deeper pile rollers do not necessarily apply more paint to a smooth surface.
becomes easier to peel if you gently press and roll it on the table before peeling. This loosens the skin fibers if you do it gently but firmly – do not pound, squeeze or squash – and it really works! I'm never paying extra for easy-peel citrus fruit again.
Walls, ceilings and paneling require a slightly larger nap size of 3/8-inch; for lightly textured walls, decks and concrete, use a ½-inch nap; and for textured ceilings, stucco and masonry, use ¾-inch.
Wall finishes like matte and eggshell are best applied with a 3/8" nap. Semi gloss finishes on doors and trim are best applied with a 1/4" nap.
Starting at the bottom of the wall, roll up to the top, then back down over what you just painted. Every time you get back to the bottom, lift the roller off the wall, then move to the next section. Each new stroke should overlap the previous one, as this will help to smooth the finish.
Most light colors of paint will require 2 coats to adequately cover a wall. Some of the darker paints may require 3 coats. For oil-based paints, you can apply a second coat after it has dried for 24 hours. Latex paint dries quickly, so you should be able to apply a second coat after 4 hours of drying.
You can reuse it without affecting the quality of the paint application and over time it will end up paying for itself. Reuse your rollers with these 3 simple steps: Scrape the roller after use but do not let it dry out. Create an airtight cover with plastic wrap or a plastic bag—keeping it moist is key.