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
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.
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.
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.
Step #3: Understand Nap Thickness
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.
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.
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.
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.
A nap size of 3/8 to 1/2 inch is preferred for most ceilings and walls, acoustic tile, paneling, smooth concrete, textured drywall, and wood.
Following an extensive study. View Source , NASA determined that the ideal nap length is 26 minutes to maximize its effects on job performance and alertness, and minimize the effects of sleep inertia, the dazed sluggish feeling commonly experienced from longer naps.
For smooth surfaces such as new drywall, choose a shorter nap (3/16” or 1/4″) to evenly apply the paint and maintain a smooth finish. Because a shorter nap picks up less paint, it is common for some painters to use a longer nap for increased production.
A 3/8″ roller nap is ideal for most interior walls, metal, and smooth surfaces. A 1/2″ roller nap is excellent for drywall interior walls and ceilings. A 3/4″ roller nap is best for exterior walls and popcorn ceilings. A 1 1/4″ roller nap is reserved for the most textured surfaces.
Not Fully Loading the Roller
The roller needs to be fully loaded with paint to the core, otherwise you'll get air bubbles on your wall, resulting in “paint acne.” To avoid this mistake, roll back and forth on the roller tray until all bubbles are gone and the roller feels heavy.
Dabbing painters tape against the roller cover is an easy way to work free any extra fibers. Once your the cover is lint free you're ready to begin painting.
You want to use even, consistent pressure when painting. Remember, pressing too hard will leave behind roller-edge streaks. Not pressing hard enough will lead to inconsistent paint coverage. Practice on a loose piece of drywall to get the feel down before painting your wall.
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.
Without sanding, the new coat of paint might peel or cause an orange peel texture. Once sanded, clean the entire surface and scrub away any leftover dust, debris, or grime. Keep in mind that nothing gets smoother by adding more paint, it only gets smoother by sanding between coats.
What happens if you apply a second coat of paint too soon? Applying the second coat of paint before letting it dry will result in peeling, clumping, and bubbling that can be time-consuming and expensive to repair. It can also result in an uneven colour, ruining its appearance.
Recoat Time for Oil-Based Paint
Water-based paints dry considerably faster than oil-based paints because the water evaporates to let the paint dry. Oil-based paints contain no water. Though oil-based paint may feel dry after only a few hours, it's best to wait a full 24 hours or more before applying additional coats.
It is possible to apply two coats of paint daily, depending on the paint used. Oil-based paint typically requires a waiting period of 24 hours between coats, while latex paint can be recoated after 4 hours.