How to Select Roller Covers
Paint rollers speed the process of painting. While it's important to choose a quality paint roller, the roller cover is what actually affects the paint finish. Roller covers are made of a wide range of materials that all absorb paint differently. In addition, roller covers are available for specialty paint jobs, such as fitting in small spaces or creating decorative finishes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose a standard 7- to 12-inch wide paint roller cover for most paint jobs. If you're painting tight spaces, such as around doors and windows, opt for a smaller cover, as little as 2 inches wide. The smaller covers require a smaller roller as well.
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Choose a synthetic roller cover for oil-based paints and a natural fiber lambswool cover when using water-based paint. Lambswool roller covers are also the best choice when applying primer.
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Paint smooth surfaces, such as doors, with either a mohair or a foam cover. Foam covers also apply enamel paints better than other types of covers.
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Determine the right size cover nap based on the type of surface you're painting. According to the House Painting Info website, use a 1/8- to 1/4-inch nap for very smooth surfaces, a 3/8- to 1/2-inch nap for slightly smooth to medium surfaces, and a 1- to 1 1/2-inch nap for concrete and stucco. The 3/4-inch nap is an all-purpose nap sufficient for most surfaces.
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Choose a specialty roller cover to create a decorative finish, such as stippling, or a rag finish.
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Create designs on a surface using a stenciled roller cover, which looks like a rubber stamp. Typically you'll paint a wall a flat color, then use a stenciled roller cover to transfer a design onto the wall, such as a border.
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References
- Photo Credit paint rollers image by Wayne Abraham from Fotolia.com
