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 standard roller for painting is typically a medium-nap synthetic roller cover. This roller type has enough nap to hold the paint but not so much that it leaves behind excess material or creates an uneven finish.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The typical age for the 3 to 2 nap transition is between 6.5-8 months. Some babies may transition on the earlier end of this range (or even slightly before), and some won't be ready until they're closer to 8 months (or even a little later).
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.
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.
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.
Thick or thin makes a big difference
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.
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.
The perfect amount of paint to load on your roller should be just shy of overflowing – you should be able to see a very small amount of the microfibres and the roller should feel slightly heavy. If you're unsure, it's always better to start with less and add more as you go along than trying to remove excess 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.
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.
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.
Infants at 6 months of age become more aware of sounds and their environment, making them more sensitive to sleep disturbances. Signs of 6-month sleep regression include frequent wakings, difficulty falling asleep, longer naps during the day, and more crying at night.
How long should a 3 year old nap? For kids that are still napping, it's common to see 1 - 1.5 hours of sleep at naptime. Naps that are longer than 90 minutes can often result in night sleep that's too short. If your child is sleeping less than 10 hours at night consider shortening, or transitioning away from, the nap.
There are situations when an early bedtime (as early as 6:00 pm) is going to be helpful, or even necessary. Here are some examples of when your little one's last wake window may bring you to a bedtime between 6:00-7:00 pm: When you have a skipped or shortened last nap. During a nap transition.