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Step 1
Decide what type of paint you want to use for the effects you want to achieve. Roller covers will vary depending on the type of paint you buy, latex or oil based. The depth and texture of the roller cover will also vary depending on the effect you want on the walls. If you want a lightly textured walls, you should use a textured roller cover.
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Step 2
Use a large five-gallon container if you are painting a large area. Fill the container about a third full and mix the paint thoroughly. Immerse the roller fully in the paint. Use a roller grid to remove the excess paint from the roller. A roller grid fits on the large container and will keep the roller frame from collecting paint on the ends, which makes a mess and leaves uneven marks on the paint surface.
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Step 3
Buy a roller pan and inserts if you aren't using a large container. Fill the roller pan so the bottom is half full. Dip the roller into the paint and use the upper half of the pan to remove excess paint. Make sure the roller cover has paint on the whole surface.
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Step 4
Attach an extension pole to the handle of the roller frame. An extension pole helps avoid the use of ladders and will greatly extend your reach for a normal height room.
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Step 5
Start at the top of the wall about three inches away from the cut-in section with a fully loaded roller.
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Step 6
Make a "W" or "M" with the roller, then fill in the areas with paint. Paint in sections about 3' by 3' at a time and paint into the cut-in areas of the wall.
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Step 7
Use the roller to make another "W" or "M" about three inches away from the previous section, then fill in the areas with paint as before.
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Step 8
Back roll the painted area the full roller width to create a smooth appearance.
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Step 9
Continue painting from top to bottom, filling in the areas with paint. Continue to use the "W" or "M" technique until the whole wall is painted. Angle the paint roller when needed to get rid of lines or fill in light areas.
