Español

Your Favorites

Paint Roller Advice

What is the Best Paint Roller for Your Paint Project?

Have you ever stood in the paint roller aisle in the paint or home improvement store and wondered what the difference between paint roller covers was? Some are thick, some are thin, and they come in many colors. It can be confusing. Most paint roller covers are made of woven materials and come in a variety of colors. Each brand has different colors, but the majority are white, yellow, or blue. 

 
Paint Roller Advice
Stucco, Decks, Brick, and Masonry - Thick 3/4″ roller covers can hold more paint and get into the crevices of the rough surface. If you use a thin 1/4″ cover over stucco, the cover will rip apart quickly and not get paint into all the crevices. ​

Ceilings and Drywall - Medium 3/8″ roller covers work best.

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. If you use a thick 3/4″ roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

Paint Roller Covers

Choose the Right Cover Thickness

Stucco, Decks, Brick, and Masonry - Thick 3/4″ roller covers can hold more paint and get into the crevices of the rough surface. If you use a thin 1/4″ cover over stucco, the cover will rip apart quickly and not get paint into all the crevices. ​

Ceilings and Drywall - Medium 3/8″ roller covers work best.

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. If you use a thick 3/4″ roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.
There are two basic sizes for paint roller frames - large 9″ long roller frames and a smaller 4″ style. Decide which roller size to use depending on what you will be painting:

Walls and Ceilings - The large roller is better for big surfaces.

Doors, Furniture, and Cabinets - A 4" paint roller is ideal. 

Paint Roller Size

There are two basic sizes for paint roller frames - large 9″ long roller frames and a smaller 4″ style. Decide which roller size to use depending on what you will be painting:

Walls and Ceilings - The large roller is better for big surfaces.

Doors, Furniture, and Cabinets - A 4" paint roller is ideal. 
The sooner you start your paint project, the sooner you’ll be done. So, to get rolling right just follow the directions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

How To Use A Paint Roller

The sooner you start your paint project, the sooner you’ll be done. So, to get rolling right just follow the directions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

You don’t need much to get started:

  1. A paint roller.
  2. A paint tray.
  3. A paint tray liner.
  4. A damp rag.
  5. A gallon of Glidden paint.
  6. A drop cloth, plastic tarp, etc. to protect flooring and furniture.

Get Your Materials

You don’t need much to get started:

  1. A paint roller.
  2. A paint tray.
  3. A paint tray liner.
  4. A damp rag.
  5. A gallon of Glidden paint.
  6. A drop cloth, plastic tarp, etc. to protect flooring and furniture.
  1. To attach the roller cover to the paint roller frame, simply align the hole in the cover with the end of the frame and push it on.
  2. Prep roller with a damp rag
  3. Squeeze roller 3-4 times with rag
  4. Make sure the entire surface area of the rag is moist and ready to apply paint
  5. If needed, you can screw on a painting roller extension pole to each roller frame to reach high places.

Prepping the Paint Roller

  1. To attach the roller cover to the paint roller frame, simply align the hole in the cover with the end of the frame and push it on.
  2. Prep roller with a damp rag
  3. Squeeze roller 3-4 times with rag
  4. Make sure the entire surface area of the rag is moist and ready to apply paint
  5. If needed, you can screw on a painting roller extension pole to each roller frame to reach high places.
  1. Insert a plastic paint tray liner into the paint tray
  2. Make sure the liner is completely secure in the tray
  3. Position the tray in an area that’s easy to reach and close to the surface you are paint
  4. Pour paint into the deep pocket of the tray
  5. Fill the pocket of the tray roughly a quarter of the way up with paint
  6. Don’t overfill the tray

Prepping the Paint Tray

  1. Insert a plastic paint tray liner into the paint tray
  2. Make sure the liner is completely secure in the tray
  3. Position the tray in an area that’s easy to reach and close to the surface you are paint
  4. Pour paint into the deep pocket of the tray
  5. Fill the pocket of the tray roughly a quarter of the way up with paint
  6. Don’t overfill the tray
  1. Position the roller at the beginning of the grooved part of the paint tray
  2. Starting at the grooved part of the paint tray, roll the paint roller back and forth a few times
  3. Make sure the roller is evenly covered with a layer of paint
  4. Don’t use excessive pressure to apply paint—an even, light pressure is all that is needed.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

Dipping The Paint Roller

  1. Position the roller at the beginning of the grooved part of the paint tray
  2. Starting at the grooved part of the paint tray, roll the paint roller back and forth a few times
  3. Make sure the roller is evenly covered with a layer of paint
  4. Don’t use excessive pressure to apply paint—an even, light pressure is all that is needed.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.
  1. Remove your roller cover from the roller frame right after you are finished painting.
  2. Use soap and water to clean up after using latex paint. Hold the roller cover under running water and squeeze your hand over the roller to remove the paint. Repeat until all the paint is out of the roller, then let dry. Never leave the cover soaking in water.
How to Clean Paint Brushes

Clean-up

  1. Remove your roller cover from the roller frame right after you are finished painting.
  2. Use soap and water to clean up after using latex paint. Hold the roller cover under running water and squeeze your hand over the roller to remove the paint. Repeat until all the paint is out of the roller, then let dry. Never leave the cover soaking in water.
How to Clean Paint Brushes