There are various options for applying paint to a surface. It often depends on the surface what the best way of painting is; for example, paint spraying can produce a good result with metal, but a paint roller is often chosen for walls. Painting with a paint roller seems very easy, because large surfaces can be done quickly, but if the painting is not done properly, the result of a wall painted with a paint roller may also be less optimal.
- Preparations and sanding
- Mask off before painting
- Preparing the paint for rolling
- Dyeing with a paint roller
- Settling after paint rolling
- Choosing the right paint roller
- Storing the paint roller
Preparations and sanding
In this case, it is assumed that a wall is painted with a paint roller. It is important that the preparations are done as well as possible. Ultimately, the preparations will also take up most of the time of the entire job. However, good preparations also ensure the best result. It is important with a wall to see what condition the wall is in. For example, are there holes or old paint layers on it? Any holes or cracks will need to be repaired before continuing. Then you can look at the possibly existing old paint layer. If it still adheres well, it can remain on it. If not, this layer of paint will also have to be removed. Depending on the structure of the wall, it can still be treated with a fixative (only if the substrate is quite “loose”). In addition, every surface must be clean and dust-free before painting with the roller.
Mask off before painting
When the wall is ready, you can start masking. When taping it is important to work very accurately here; paint can quickly get under the tape if it is poorly pasted. The line that will be taped must also be straight. If necessary, the tape can be cut exactly into the correct shape with a knife after masking.
To prevent splashes as much as possible, especially on the floor or things that are still in the room, it is easy to cover this with a foil. These films are often already available in complete sets with a roller and paint tray.
Preparing the paint for rolling
After masking, the paint can be prepared. When preparing the paint it is necessary to stir it well. For various surfaces, it can also be useful to slightly dilute the paint with 1/20 part water. This allows the paint to come through better on coarse surfaces. However, the downside is that the paint is less opaque, so more coats may be needed in that case. When the paint is ready, you can proceed to filling the paint tray. This should be filled to a maximum of half. From this paint tray you can start with the first parts to be painted.
Dyeing with a paint roller
As soon as the painting itself can be started, in many cases half of the work is already done! Before the roller is put through the wall paint, the corners and edges must first be painted with a brush. Various suitable brushes are available for this; if everything is properly covered, you can paint over the hard-to-reach areas with a reasonably large brush.
When the edges and corners are done, the roller can be prepared to get through the wall paint. Preparing the roller is no more than making sure there are no loose threads or lint on the roller and getting the roller wet. A dry roller does not absorb the paint well enough. What often goes wrong is that the entire roller is submerged in the paint, but this causes too much paint to get on the roller and spills are quickly and there is no even distribution of the paint on the wall. To prevent this, it is useful to only pass the paint roller halfway through the paint. Then the paint can be evenly distributed over the roller by rolling it over the intended surface of the paint tray.
When the paint is on the roller, you can start with the paint roller itself. It is best to keep one direction when dyeing. In fact, the majority opts for vertical, as this also works the most pleasant and gives the best result. Do not exert pressure on the roller, let it roll over the surface on its own. Applying pressure does not distribute the paint evenly.
Settling after paint rolling
After rolling the paint, the tape must be removed again. If it is left on for too long, once the paint is completely dry, it may be that the removal of some paints results in cracks in it. A good paint can prevent this, but pulling the tape away in time is still a wise move.
After painting, some splashes of paint often remain in places where they do not belong. Remove these as soon as possible as this will become more difficult once the paint has dried properly. Various means are available for this, but the paint splashes can often be removed at an early stage with a damp cloth.
Choosing the right paint roller
The packaging of the paint roller often states for which surfaces or paints the roller is suitable. In general there are some guidelines that can help with the choice. For example, a rough surface should be painted with a hairy thick fleece roller. This is to be able to get into the irregularities well. However, a smooth surface also needs a smoother roller for an even result. In addition to the rollers with a coat, there are often (yellow) rollers with a structure in the store. These rollers are to create effects with paint, as is often necessary with, for example, textured paint. If the result should be smooth, it is not recommended to use these rollers.
Storing the paint roller
If the painting is interrupted, the paint roller with the paint tray and all can be stored in a sealed plastic bag (for example a garbage bag) without having to be cleaned immediately. In this way the paint does not dry out and the roller can be stored for up to three days.