How to Use Brush Rollers
Adding color is one of the most inexpensive ways to change the look and feel of a room. Using paint to change the color of a room is relatively simple and can be completed quickly by using brush rollers and the proper technique. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Old bed sheets or plastic tarps
- Spackle
- Spackling knife
- Rag
- Mild soap
- Paint brush
- Paint
- Painters tape
- Paint tray
- Brush roller
- Gallon-sized plastic bags, used plastic grocery bags or roller covers
Instructions
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1
Move or tarp all furniture in the room. Furniture left unprotected will fall victim to paint splatters from the brush roller. Cover floors as well. Old bed sheets or plastic tarps will suffice. Choose to tarp with materials that are lightweight, movable and disposable.
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2
Prep the walls prior to painting. Carefully spread spackle over any flawed areas with the spackling knife. Then, using a rag, clean the walls with mild soap and water, allowing to dry prior to applying paint.
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3
Apply painters tape, special tape designed to be less adhesive and easily removable from walls, along areas you want to avoid painting. Dip a paint brush in the paint can and cut in, paint a 3-inch strip along the edges of the walls, ceilings and trim, prior to using the brush roller.
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4
Pour paint in a tray and saturate roller thoroughly. Roll off excess paint on the raised section inside the tray to avoid excess drips from the roller when lifted from the tray. Excess paint causes splattering on nearby items.
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5
Paint along a section that has been cut in and is still wet. Paint from top to bottom with large diagonal movements that resemble a "W" or "M." Re-wet the brush roller with paint and repeat the diagonal movements until all areas are covered with paint. Avoid roller marks by filling gaps between diagonal strokes while the paint is still wet.
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6
Move to unpainted areas and repeat steps three through five. Paint will be dry to the touch after one hour. Allow four hours for the first coat to dry thoroughly before adding a second coat. When quality paint, rollers and adequate amounts of paint are used, one coat may be sufficient; however, plan on more than one coat. Just before the paint dries, remove the painters tape.
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7
Clean your used brush roller by scraping excess paint in a tray or paint can, then running under hot water. If additional coats are necessary, store paint rollers inside gallon-sized plastic bags, plastic grocery bags tied in a knot or commercial roller covers, which will keep the paint from drying out over a short time.
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Tips & Warnings
Minimize drips when filling paint trays by punching a hole in the rim of the paint can with a large screwdriver. This allows the paint to run back down in the can versus down the outside of the paint can. Also, a nearby wet cloth comes in handy for inevitable spills and accidental splatters.
Removing painters tape correctly is key for a professional looking finish. If removed too quickly the paint will bleed, if removed to late the paint will peel off with the tape.
References
Resources
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