Paint Tips for Nap Rollers
Buying a nap roller for your painting project should not be a mere afterthought once paint selection is complete. The right nap roller for your job depends on the surface being painted and the type of paint used. By following some basic tips and techniques, your painting project will turn out better. Does this Spark an idea?
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Nap Length
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Paint rollers come in a variety of nap lengths--the nap you choose will be largely determined by the type of surface you are covering. Smooth surfaces, such as a sheetrock or smooth wood, require a short nap, from between 1/8 to 1/4 inch. If your wall has a slightly textured quality, such as poured concrete, a medium nap of between 3/8 to 1/2 inch is appropriate. Very rough finishes like stucco and brick need a long nap; use a nap between 3/4 and 1 1/4 inch to get between the grooves of the surface.
Type of Paint
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The type of paint involved in your project will also help you determine which paint roller you select. Less expensive synthetic fiber rollers are ideal for jobs that entail the use of oil-based primer and paint. Because oil-based paint is difficult to clean from a roller, a cheap synthetic roller may be discarded after use without regret. A lamb's wool paint roller is good for water-based paint products--after use, the roller may be washed with warm water and soap for reuse. Lamb's wool rollers also hold more paint, which reduces spatter while painting.
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Paint Preparation
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Before you begin a paint project with nap rollers, use tape to protect door trim and baseboards. Because nap rollers are typically unable to get into small crevices and corners, use an angled brush to paint those areas before you begin with the roller. Roll over the edge of the paint applied with your brush to blend the two areas together.
Technique
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The Behr Process Corporation, a major paint manufacturer, recommends applying paint with a nap roller using a "W" technique. Dip your roller in a paint tray, roll off some of the excess paint in the tray, and move the roller along the wall in large "W" shapes. Work in small areas at a time, as opposed to attempting to tackle the entire space at once. Continue to make the same shape over the wall until one section is completely covered, and then move on to the next. Start at the top of the wall and move down toward the baseboard.
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References
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