Quality 12mm nap rollers will apply an even paint film to your walls and ceilings and give you a great finish, without splattering paint all over you and the floor. Professional painters actually use 20mm nap rollers on ceilings, and 12mm nap rollers on walls.
The Medium Pile Microfibre Roller
Probably one of the most popular and reliable rollers on the market, these are designed to apply water-based emulsions, such as matt and silk paints, to internal walls and ceilings.
The two best paint rollers for a smooth finish is a High Density Foam Roller with a Rounded Edge and a Lint Free Low Nap Roller, but I will say that even though both of these are good rollers one wins the prize for the smoothest finish.
1/2 Inch Nap vs 3/8 Inch
A 3/8 nap is sufficient if the surface has no texture or a simple roll-on texture. However, if the wall is textured with concrete or plaster, using a 1/2-inch nap or greater as necessary will ensure you apply for the proper paint coverage.
⅜” - ½” (9.5-12.7mm)—For smooth and semi-smooth surfaces like drywall, painted or unpainted walls and ceilings. ¾” - 1” (19.05-25.4mm)—For semi-rough surfaces like wood, stucco or a textured ceiling. 1 ¼” - 1 ½” (31.75-38.1mm)—For rough surfaces like concrete block, brick, or masonry.
Quality 12mm nap rollers will apply an even paint film to your walls and ceilings and give you a great finish, without splattering paint all over you and the floor. Professional painters actually use 20mm nap rollers on ceilings, and 12mm nap rollers on walls.
Selecting the Right Size
Roller Size and Hair Length: Generally, larger rollers (1.25-2 inches) are best for longer hair, creating loose, voluminous waves and curls. Smaller rollers (0.5-1 inch) are ideal for shorter hair lengths, resulting in tighter, bouncier curls.
Foam rollers are ideal for use on smooth interior walls, whereas traditional rollers are more ideal for exterior walls with uneven surfaces. Foam rollers glide easily along smooth, flat surfaces, dispensing paint uniformly. Foam absorbs liquids easily.
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.
Paint in Small Sections
If you have a large wall, break it up into small sections that are manageable. It'll make painting with a paint roller easier and your results will improve. Make sure each section is two to three square feet big. The roller should sound wet at all times when you're painting.
White China—These natural bristle brushes are best used with oil-based paints, especially enamels and varnishes. Ideal for woodwork, enamels, or marine applications, White China bristles virtually eliminate brush marks.
For consistent control and smooth finish, we recommend microfiber roller covers. 1/4″ – Use for ultra-smooth surfaces like cabinets, doors & metal. 3/8″ – Use for smooth surfaces like walls & ceilings.
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.
Many painters “break in” a roller cover by priming it with water or thinner. In our lab we never prewet a cover before painting. If you choose to, you must spin it out with five or six strong pumps so it is only lightly damp. Then take even more moisture out by blotting the cover with a paper towel.
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.
Thicker naps hold more paint, helping get it into nooks and crannies. Smaller naps are better for smoother surfaces because you waste less paint. Here's a quick guide to paint roller nap sizes: 3/16-1/4 inch: Ultra-smooth finish for painting walls, doors, and trim.
A short pile roller is a better match for a flat surface when applying interior wall coatings. These rollers reduce the texture, so you get a smooth finish. Choose a long pile roller when painting masonry, as most exterior surfaces are textured.
There are certain conditions and circumstances where use of a foam roller could be detrimental or damaging to a person's body. Foam rolling exercises load and stress the underlying tissues, including nerves, skin receptors, blood and lymphatic vessels, as well as bones.
Please do not foam roll your neck. Foam rolling – or using a lacrosse ball – on the upper trapezius muscles is fine. But when you attempt to release tissue on your neck, which in geek speak is called the cervical spine, you run the risk of potentially damaging the delicate spinal discs in your neck.
A foam roller will help to get a smooth finish on a surface such as cabinets. Foam can hold a lot of paint, fitting for porous surfaces such as bare wood.
3/16 to 1/4-inch thickness is perfect for smooth surface roller covers for painting metal doors, interior doors, trim and cabinets. They work well with semi-gloss or gloss coatings and both oil- and water-base enamels. 3/8 to 1/2-inch thickness is preferable for semi-smooth surfaces such as drywall.
The shortest lengths (around 4 - 12 inches) work well for portability and in workout areas with limited floor space. Diameter: Most rollers are 5 or 6 inches in diameter, which is a comfortable height for easing your body onto and then rolling under control.
Foam rollers differ in size, firmness and surface pattern. Choose a longer foam roller if you wish to work on large muscles and your back areas, while a smaller, hand-held foam roller is better suited to targeting smaller muscles areas .