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Published by ESP Painting on March 27, 2023

Types of Paint Rollers Used by Professionals

Pros employ various techniques, such as spraying, rolling and brushing when painting surfaces. When it comes to painting rollers, they typically opt for high-quality products that provide efficient coverage and work well with various types of paints. Paint rollers are used for large, flat surface areas like walls and ceilings.

Common Sizes of Paint Rollers

7 inches wide: This size is ideal for smaller rooms or tight spaces where manoeuvrability is essential.
9 inches wide: The most common size professionals use due to its versatility in quickly covering larger surfaces.

Roller Handle Materials: Plastic vs Wood

The material used in roller handles can vary from plastic to wood. While both options have advantages, professional painters often prefer wooden handles as they offer better grip and control during the painting process. However, some may choose plastic handles due to their lightweight nature and lower cost.

Metal vs Plastic Frame Options

The frame holding the roller cover can be made from either metal or plastic. Metal frames are typically more robust, but their heft may lead to fatigue with prolonged use; conversely, plastic frames are usually lighter and might not withstand significant pressure when painting rougher surfaces. On the other hand, plastic frames are lighter weight but might not hold up as well under heavy pressure when applying paint dries onto textured surfaces such as stucco exteriors or rough drywall patches.

Professional painters use different types of paint rollers depending on the job, including common sizes and materials used in roller handles. Having looked at what roller to use, let us now consider the ideal cover for your job.

Choosing the Right Roller Cover

The type of roller cover professional painters choose depends on the paint they’ll be using and the texture of the surface being painted. Roller covers can be fibre-covered or urethane-foam-covered cylinders that soak up paint from a tray and then release it when rolled over a flat surface. For most finishes, experts recommend choosing one with a nap (or pile height) between 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch thick.

Fiber-Covered vs Urethane Foam-Covered Roller Covers

Fiber-covered roller covers are typically made from polyester, microfiber, or lamb’s wool. These types of rollers work well for both water-based and oil-based paints, providing excellent coverage and durability. On the other hand, urethane foam-covered rollers are best suited for smooth surfaces and oil-based paints because they tend to produce fewer bubbles than their fiber counterparts.

Nap Thickness Recommendations for Different Surfaces

Smooth surfaces: For walls with little texture, such as plaster or drywall, use a roller cover with a shorter nap (1/4-inch and 3/8-inch).
Semi-smooth surfaces: When painting lightly textured surfaces like wood paneling or concrete blocks, opt for medium-nap roller covers (between 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch).
Rough textures: To effectively coat heavily textured areas such as stucco exteriors or brickwork, choose long-nap roller covers (5/8 inch to an inch thick).

Choosing the right roller cover for your painting project is essential to achieve a professional finish. Remember that using the wrong nap thickness can result in an uneven application, causing the paint to dry too quickly or poorly adheres to the surface.

Tips for Selecting Roller Covers Based on Paint Type

Water-based paints: Synthetic fiber covers from polyester or nylon are ideal for water-based paints like latex and acrylics.
Oil-based paints: Natural fibers such as lamb’s wool or mohair work best with oil-based products because they hold more paint and provide smoother coverage than synthetic materials.

In addition, always consider the quality of your roller cover. High-quality covers will last longer and ensure better results by preventing shedding fibers during painting and providing even coverage across various textured surfaces.

Selecting the proper roller is imperative for achieving a professional-looking paint job, as it can have an effect on both the quality of the finish and the amount of time spent. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some popular choices among professionals when it comes to selecting rollers.

Popular Paint Roller Choices Among Professionals

Professional painters have a few go-to paint rollers that they rely on for their projects. These popular choices are known for their quality, durability, and efficiency in providing smooth finishes. Let’s take a closer look at some of these top-rated paint rollers:

Wooster Pro/Doo-Z Rollers

Wooster’s nine-inch Pro/Doo-Z roller is highly regarded among professionals due to its proprietary Doo-Z fibers that deliver excellent coverage and minimize shedding. This high-quality roller cover works well with all types of paints, including oil and latex coatings.

Stanley PTST03508 Eight-Piece Kit

The Stanley PTST03508 eight-piece paint kit offers convenience by including two nine-inch roller covers made from microfiber fabric designed to hold more paint than traditional materials while reducing drips and splatter. The kit also includes other essential painting tools like brushes, trays, and an extension pole.

Pilot Fish Seventeen-Piece Set Featuring Microfiber True Blue Four-Inch Covers

Durable: This seventeen-piece set from Pilot Fish includes four-inch microfiber True Blue roller covers, which provide superior performance compared to conventional polyester or nylon fabrics.
Versatile: The smaller size allows for precision work around tight spaces such as trim or corners without sacrificing the smooth finish provided by microfiber technology.
Complete Kit: The set also includes a roller frame, brushes, and other essential painting tools to make your project run smoothly from start to finish. Check out the full kit on Pilot Fish’s website by clicking here.

In addition to these popular paint rollers, professional painters may use speciality rollers like FoamPRO Finish high-density foam rollers for ultra-smooth surfaces or Shur-Line Roller Shields equipped with built-in shields for added protection against splatter. By choosing the right roller cover and using the proper technique, you can achieve professional-quality results in your own home.

Professional painters know the importance of using the right type and size roller for a particular job, so they often choose popular paint rollers such as Wooster Pro/Doo-Z Rollers, Stanley PTST03508 Eight-Piece Kit or Microfiber True Blue Four-Inch Covers. Moving on to textured paint rollers for customized surfaces, it’s important to understand the different types of designs available and best practices when applying them.

Textured Paint Rollers for Customized Surfaces

In addition to standard manual paint rollers suitable for average-sized walls and ceilings, textured paint rollers are designed to create customized appearances, such as patterns or textures on surfaces like stucco exteriors. These specialty tools offer more versatility than traditional models while still providing excellent results when used correctly by skilled professionals.

Types of Textured Roller Designs

The market offers textured roller designs catering to various styles and preferences. Some popular options include:

Hopper guns with interchangeable spray tips
Patterned rollers with embossed designs
Lambswool covers for creating unique textures
Super Fab Texture Covers from Sherwin Williams, are specially designed to create different finishes depending on the technique used.

Best Practices for Using Textured Rollers

To achieve optimal results when using textured rollers, it’s essential to follow some best practices:

Choose the right roller cover: Select one compatible with the type of paint and surface you’re working on. For example, use oil-based paints for textured surfaces like stucco exteriors.
Prepare the surface: Clean it thoroughly, ensuring it is dry and free of obstructions before beginning to paint.
Practice your technique: Before starting your painting project, use the textured roller on a scrap piece of material to get comfortable with its application method and achieve consistent results.
Maintain even pressure: Apply even pressure when rolling to ensure uniform coverage and avoid creating unwanted patterns or marks in the finish.
Clean up properly: After completing your project, thoroughly clean all tools used (including rollers) according to manufacturer instructions to maintain their effectiveness for future projects.

By following these best practices when using textured paint rollers, professional painters can create customized surfaces that add character and depth to residential spaces while maintaining high-quality finishes throughout their work.

Textured paint rollers are essential for professional painters to create custom surfaces. Utilizing the correct add-ons, these rollers can be operated safely and effectively to attain desired outcomes. Essential accessories such as telescoping poles, paint tray materials, and disposable liners can help ensure a successful painting job with the minimal clean-up effort.

Essential Accessories for Professional Paint Roller Use

To achieve a successful painting project, professional painters need the right tools – one of which is a telescoping pole. In this section, we will discuss some essential tools that are commonly used by professionals alongside their paint rollers.

Telescoping Poles

Telescoping poles are an indispensable accessory for any painter as they allow roller frames to be easily adjusted for height. This ensures a comfortable and efficient painting experience, especially when working on high walls or ceilings. These poles come in various lengths and materials, such as aluminum or fiberglass, providing durability and flexibility depending on your needs.

Paint Tray Materials (Aluminum vs Plastic)

Choosing paint tray material is another important consideration when selecting accessories for your painting project. Aluminum trays offer better durability than plastic ones but may be slightly more expensive. On the other hand, plastic trays are lightweight and affordable but might not last as long under heavy use. Ultimately, the decision between aluminum and plastic trays comes down to individual needs and financial considerations.

Disposable Liners and Other Clean-up Solutions

Disposable liners: Using disposable liners in your paint tray can significantly reduce cleanup time after completing a project. Fitting snugly into trays of 7-inch or 9-inch width, disposable liners are made from either aluminum or plastic materials.
Foil lining:An alternative solution is using aluminum foil to line your paint tray before pouring paint onto it; this method also makes cleanup easier and more efficient.
Paint roller cleaner: Investing in a paint roller cleaner can help extend the life of your roller covers by thoroughly removing paint residue after each use. This tool is particularly useful when working with oil-based paints, which are harder to clean than water-based ones.

Incorporating these essential accessories into your painting toolkit will enhance the overall quality of your work and ensure an enjoyable and hassle-free experience throughout the process.

Equipping yourself with the right accessories for professional paint roller use is essential to ensure a successful painting job. Additionally, proper technique when using paint rollers can make all the difference between an amateurish and professional-looking finish.

Proper Technique When Using Paint Rollers

When using paint rollers, it’s important to maintain proper technique by making long strokes from the middle of the wall outward while avoiding stop-and-go movements that could lead to raised edge roller marks. To prevent crusty, unusable tools after breaks during a project, wrap them securely in plastic wrap or bags before storing them in the fridge.

Avoiding Common Mistakes with Roller Techniques

To ensure a smooth and professional finish when using paint rollers, follow these tips:

Maintain even pressure: Apply consistent pressure on the roller throughout each stroke to avoid uneven coverage and streaks.
Use an extension pole: Attach your roller frame to a telescoping pole for easier access to high areas without straining your arms or back.
Pick up excess paint: If you notice any drips or pooling on the surface, immediately roll over those areas again with light pressure to redistribute the paint evenly.
Cross-roll for better coverage: After applying paint vertically, go over it horizontally (or vice versa) in order not only to improve coverage but also to eliminate visible seams between sections of painted surfaces.

Storing Paint-Covered Tools During Breaks

Taking breaks is essential during any painting project; however, exposing your tools can cause problems like dried-out brushes and hardened roller covers. Follow these steps for properly storing your tools during breaks:

Clean off excess paint by rolling the tool on scrap cardboard or paper.
Wrap the roller cover or brush in plastic wrap, ensuring it’s tightly sealed to prevent air from entering and drying out the paint.
Place wrapped tools inside a plastic bag for extra protection against drying out.
Store them in a cool place like your refrigerator during breaks. This will help keep the paint fresh and ready for use when you resume painting later.

Incorporating these techniques into your painting project can significantly improve efficiency while ensuring you achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort. Remember to always choose high-quality paint rollers, roller covers, and other accessories for optimal performance throughout your project.

FAQs in Relation to What Rollers Do Professional Painters Use

What type of rollers do professional painters use?

Professional painters typically use a variety of rollers depending on the project and surface they are painting. 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. Additionally, some professional painters prefer using specialty rollers designed specifically for certain types of paint applications such as epoxy coatings or textured finishes.

What is the best paint roller for no splatter?

The best paint roller for no splatter is one with a high-density foam core. This roller type ensures an even application of the paint and prevents any drips or splatters from occurring. It should also have a smooth, non-abrasive surface that won’t leave behind lint or fibers on the wall after painting. Additionally, it’s important to use quality brushes and rollers designed specifically for house painting to achieve optimal results without leaving any mess behind.

What is the standard roller for painting?

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. It also provides good coverage and can be easily used on smooth and semi-rough surfaces. Synthetic rollers are generally preferred over natural fiber covers because they don’t shed fibers onto the wall surface, which could create blemishes in the finished product.

Do professional painters use brushes or rollers?

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. The type of roller nap chosen is determined by the painted surface; longer naps provide more coverage on rough surfaces, while shorter naps work best on smooth surfaces. Depending on the paint applied, painters must also decide between using natural-bristle brushes or synthetic varieties. Professionals have access to a selection of materials for completing their tasks with precision and speed.

Conclusion

Rollers can be employed to give walls a polished, uniform look by painters in the trade. When using rollers, it is essential that the roller is properly prepared before painting, applied correctly with consistent pressure throughout the surface area and finished off by blending in any overlapping edges. Following these steps will ensure that your paint job looks professional every time. Remember: when it comes to rollers do professional painters use – quality matters.

Hire ESP Painting to get the job done right! Our professional team of interior and exterior house painters in Beaverton, Oregon, will provide you with quality results using the best rollers for your project.

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