Q&A for How to Use a Paint Roller

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  • Question
    Should I wet a paint roller before using it?
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.
    Residential Painter
    Expert Answer
    Getting the roller damp before using it helps you apply paint smoothly.
  • Question
    How do I get a smooth finish with a paint roller?
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.
    Residential Painter
    Expert Answer
    The length of the nap determines how smooth of a finish you'll have. If you want a smooth finish, then go for roller sleeves with short nap.
  • Question
    How do I paint a ceiling?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    If you're using a roller, paint it as you would a wall. Cover the floor with a tarp. If it's a different color than the walls, mask off the top of the walls.
  • Question
    Should I paint a wall from right to left?
    Community Answer
    In general, with a roller, you'll roll the paint on in the curved up and down pattern described in the article. As for where on the wall you start and finish, it's just a matter of where is most comfortable and ergonomic for you.
  • Question
    How much paint do I put in the roller tray?
    Community Answer
    As much as you need, or even a bit less. It's easier to add more later than to remove what you don't need after the fact.
  • Question
    Can I paint doors with a paint roller?
    Community Answer
    Yes, especially small foam rounded-edge rollers. (The rounded edge helps reduce lines.) If you roller left to right, the rounded edge should be on the left (trailing edge).
  • Question
    If I have painted with a roller and applied too much paint and there are roller marks, how do I correct this?
    Community Answer
    Just go over it with a top coat and smooth it out, or you can let it dry, sand it, and then paint the area again.
  • Question
    When painting with water-based paint, I normally wet the roller before beginning. Should I do this when I'm working with oil paints as well?
    Community Answer
    No, you shouldn't. Water and oil do not mix, and this could cause some annoying problems.
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