Choosing the correct brush or roller will come down to the surface you are painting and the type of paint being used. If you are looking to complete a small paint job, go for a paint brush. If you want to evenly cover a large surface at once, choose a paint roller instead.
If you're working on a large project, then paint rollers will definitely be the way to go as they can cover more surface area in less time. However, if you're working on a smaller project or one that requires more precision, then paint brushes might be the better choice.
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.
Cons. For a painting project such as a mural, abstract design, or small detail work, a paint roller is not the right tool. While rollers can come in different sizes, they are not as precise as a small brush. Since rollers are similar to a sponge, they tend to soak up a lot of paint.
You can use a thinner to make the paint flow more smoothly. Use a liner brush and clean up the edges of your stroke. Also, you can use a dry brush or another type of brush with a smaller tip to blend in your strokes.
For large, flat surface areas like walls and ceilings, paint rollers will help you get the job done in about half the amount of time it would take with a paintbrush. Most painters use brushes for trim work and around windows and doors, then turn to rollers to fill in the big blank spaces.
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.
Before you start a paint job, you actually want to wet the paint roller cover with water. “This primes the roller cover to soak up as much paint as possible,” Barr explains. But don't go too crazy—Barr suggests removing excess moisture with a paper towel and a good shake of the roller so it's just slightly damp.
When a home is being built you will see professional painters using a paint sprayer. Most of the time this is because there is very little to mask off because there's no furniture and typically no flooring in the space. But in addition to spraying professional painters will also back roll.
Always cut in first then continue painting with a roller. Cut in and paint with a roller one wall at a time. If you cut in all areas first and then roll the entire room, the paint that was applied when cutting in will have dried quicker and you will be left with a patchy, uneven finish.
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.
Some professionals recommend using paint pads instead of rollers for smooth surfaces. Because there is no rolling action, there is less paint splatter, and the regular shape of the pad means you can paint into corners and edges, so there is less cutting in to be done.
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.
Eggshell has a lower duller sheen than satin and is close to a matt or flat finish that you find in a lot of emulsions. It is reminiscent of the shell of an egg — hence its name. Satin has a glossier finish than eggshell and reflects more light, so is more likely to show up any imperfections.
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.
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.
De-fuzzing paint roller heads.
A new paint roller can sometimes leave behind fuzz, particularly if it's not a high-quality roller. Simply wrap some painter's tape around your fingers with the sticky side facing out, then run the tape over the roller before painting to remove the fuzz.
Smooth Out the Paint
After applying the paint, look out for any imperfections. In case there are any, use a dry roller to smooth them away. Roll over the part of the surface very lightly to achieve total coverage. This will blend the paint and do away with any kind of lines.
Method to prevent roller marks
One is to make sure the paint is mixed well before using it. Another is to use a high-quality roller cover and make sure it's in good condition. When rolling the paint on, start at the top and work your way down. Apply even pressure and avoid going over the same area multiple times.
Patchy paint can result if paint has been applied unevenly. Patchy paint can be down to a variation in surface absorption. Walls might appear patchy if they have variation in texture. Using paint that is not fully mixed can cause a patchy appearance.
POSSIBLE CAUSE
Excessive brushing or rolling – applying a paint too rapidly – will drive excess air into the film. Use of a roller cover with wrong nap length. Applying a gloss or semi-gloss paint over a porous or unsealed surface.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Painting Tool
Rollers are ideal for large areas like walls, while brushes are better suited for smaller, more intricate surfaces. Surface texture is another key factor; brushes are better for textured or uneven surfaces, while rollers work best on smooth surfaces.
A superior brush or roller will produce excellent results. A cheap brush can leave streaks and loose brush hair along the way. The same can be said for a cheap roller - it can contaminate the paint surface with loose fibres.”
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.