-
A hard-working brush.If it's practical to use a sprayer, by all means do so. Renting a professional-quality machine will allow you to spend a single weekend painting the rough stucco or wood siding on your home's exterior, instead of many weekends with a roller and brush.
If your best option is using a roller and brush, buy quality tools. A sturdy, rigid roller frame (the part you slide the roller over onto) will work better than a cheap, flimsy one. Since you'll be applying more pressure while applying the paint, the cheap one will flex and allow the roller cover to slide off. You may have to spend a little more than you expect for the proper roller cover, but a heavy-napped, 100-percent lambswool roller cover will save you time and effort. Not only do they carry more paint than synthetic covers, the long nap will apply the paint thoroughly.
Similarly, do not skimp on paint brush quality. A good paint brush holds more paint, applies it more smoothly and allows you to paint much cleaner lines. -
If the surface is porous, like unpainted stucco or a heavy plaster texture, use the correct primer as your first coat. Some primers are formulated to easily cover rough surfaces.
Expect to get less coverage out of a gallon of primer or paint--150 to 200 square feet per gallon--especially on the first coat. Check the paint label. It may be permissible to thin the paint down for the first coat, which makes it much easier to apply. Some surfaces, like stucco, may be lightly wetted down before painting. Not only does this make covering the rough texture easier, it creates a tighter bond between surface and paint. -
When painting a straight line at the juncture of a rough surface and a smooth one, it may be easier to run a bead of paintable caulking along the juncture. This provides a smoother line to paint along. If both surfaces are being painted, do the smooth surface last. It's easier to make a straight line that way.
Use blue painter's tape instead of regular masking tape wherever you are trying to protect an adjacent surface. It seals the edge much better.
Consider using a paint conditioner like Floetrol, which can improve the overall workability and smoothness of the paint.
