How To Take Care Of Your Paint Rollers

Before you start using any painting equipment, it’s essential to understand that paint tools are investments. You don’t want to be in a situation where you can only use them once, but nor are they going to last forever. Instead, you can expect paint equipment such as paint rollers to last for about six months ( with the proper care and maintenance. 

To help get the best out of your paint rollers, we’ve come up with a few care tips for you.

Prep for use 

To ensure you get the best usage out of your rollers, you’ll need to prepare them properly. To improve the performance of your paint roller, remember to prepare the rollers by using our motto: “Rinse and spin before you begin”. Our rollers are lint free so simple wash will remove any fabric that may be loosely stuck to the roller.

Storing during a project

There are a few different ways you can keep your paint roller fresh while in the middle of a project and not damage the integrity of the roller. Most basic methods include wrapping them in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. If you’re waiting overnight or more than 24 hours to get back to painting, you can either place them in an airtight bag, squeezing out all the air, or wrap the roller in a wet towel, then place it in a plastic bag. Make sure you load the roller with the paint before using any of the above storage methods. Loading the roller will protect it from drying off. Once the roller is secured you can then put it in the fridge if you are painting your own house or keep it in a cool place away from direct sunlight; the roller will stay fresh until you’re ready to get back to painting.

This method makes the roller last longer and keeps clean-up to a minimum. Meaning you’ll spend less money on supplies and use fewer resources. This is the greenest way to ensure your roller stays fresh in-between coats and won’t get damaged in the process. 

Clean immediately after use

When caring for your paint brushes or rollers, the most important tip is to clean them immediately after you’ve finished using them. Once your project is completed, you’ve done all the coats and are ready to pack up; you can use a roller ring to scrape off and squeeze out the remaining paint.

For acrylic paints, the best practice is to rinse your roller in a bucket of water and squeeze out as much paint as you can, then use a roller cleaner. It’s a tube that you slide the roller into and can connect to a garden hose. The high-pressure water thoroughly washes out the roller. Make sure to run it over a bucket to collect any wastewater. Then let it sit on its end to dry. 

Rollers with oil-based paints are more difficult to clean because you’ll need turps. The trick here is to use a roller container or some form of container you have at home. Place the roller in the container with some turps and give it a good shake. Wash the paint roller in warm soapy water, shake out the excess water and place it on its end to dry. Don’t worry too much about getting a perfectly clean roller, the best thing you can do is focus on storing it correctly so that you can get as much use as possible out of it.

Prep it for storage

Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your roller and it’s nearly dry, it’s time to prep it for storage. To keep your roller as effective as it was the first time you used it, keep the roller moist and make sure that all paint residue has been cleaned thoroughly. Keep all clean rollers in separate containers to make sure they don’t get squashed and damaged during storage, but well looked after rollers tend to retain their shape.

Store them correctly 

Finally, you always need to store your rollers correctly to keep them in good shape. Store your rollers sitting on their ends, as storing them horizontally will create a flat spot on the roller, affecting the finish when you use it next. These tips will help you take care of your paint rollers to get the best and the longest use out of them. 

Ready for your next painting project? Check out our range of exceptionally capable and eco-friendly paint rollers. Or contact us today with help in picking the right roller for you.