How to Use a Paint Roller Like a Pro

Most of you will prefer a roller over a paintbrush, right? Rollers are a blessing for impatient people like us, who cannot devote a lot of time to paint their house. It is very simple to learn how to use a roller, but if you are not careful while using a roller, you might end up ruining your wall.

Steps to Use a Paint Roller

Before you start painting, here is a list of things that you will need:

• Paint
• Roller pin
• Roller cover
• Extension handle
• Bucket (4 gallon)
• Bucket screen
• Paintbrush

Step 1
Take the roller pin, and attach the roller cover to it. Now, fasten the extension handle to one end of the roller pin. Your roller is now ready. Before you pour the paint into the bucket, you should moisten the roller. Now, fill half of the bucket with paint. Hang the bucket screen on the edge of the bucket.

Step 2
You might be wondering why have I mentioned a paintbrush, in the list mentioned above. I have not included it in the list accidentally. There are a few areas (inner corners, moldings, around electric switches, etc.) where the roller may not be able to do a good job. To paint such areas you need a paintbrush. Take the paintbrush and paint all such areas, especially the inner corners, before you go to the next step. The difference between a paint job done by a professional and a novice can be understood easily by looking at the inner edges of the walls. So, if you want your paint job to look good, then carefully paint the inner edges.

Step 3
Now, you are ready to start using the roller. Before you dip the roller in the paint bucket, check whether the extension handle is secure. Dip the roller in the bucket, and let it stay for 2 seconds. Now, roll the paint roller up the bucket screen. This will remove the excess paint on the roller. Some people do not remove the extra paint, and end up wasting a lot of paint. Excess paint on the roller may also ruin the paint job.

Step 4
Leave a 10 cm gap from the edge and start painting. Your first stroke with the roller should always be directed upwards. Move the roller in such a way that it makes either a 'W', 'V', 'M', or 'N' mark on the wall. Once you have made any one of the mark, keeping filling the gap using the roller. When you are painting near the edge, see that your strokes move into the edge. You should not target the whole wall at a time. Once you have completed a part of the wall, move the roller (without dipping it in the paint) up and down over the painted area. This will give the area that you have painted an even finish.

Note: When you are painting near the edge, the extension handle should not be close to the edge.

Similarly, you can paint the other areas of the wall. Just remember one thing, you should overlap the edge of the previously painted area while painting the new area.

Additional Tips

• Buy a good quality roller cover. A cheap roller cover will not give you the best results.
• Choose a roller cover with respect to the surface which you are going to paint.
• If you are using latex paint, then moisten the roller using water before you start painting, else use a solvent to moisten the roller.
• When you are not using the paint bucket, you should keep it covered with a damp cloth.

The steps mentioned above will surely help you use a paint roller like a professional, and you will surely have a beautiful looking wall with a great finishing, when you are done painting.

Note: Do not forget to clean the roller thoroughly when you complete the paint job.