When it comes time for a paint job, whether it be for your home or office, you typically always want a perfect, satisfying finish no matter what you want to paint. This might seem daunting but we all started in the same place and getting that perfect finish is definitely achievable and can be done with the right tools and techniques! In today’s blog post, we will discuss the best ways, tips and tricks to use a paint roller so that you get a flawless finish every time. Whether it’s for your first time painting or you’d love a refresher after a long time, these tips are a must and we’re sure will help you on your journey to painting like a pro.
Get the right equipment: Use microfibre paint rollers
It seems like a no-brainer but a simple step people often forget about! Getting the best results can often be as easy as making sure you’ve got the right tools to do the job. At Two Fussy Blokes, we specialise in the best paint rollers that provide quality microfibre rollers in different sizes and finishes and are perfect for a variety of paint jobs. Microfibre paint rollers are a great choice for a range of finishes, depending on what you’re looking for, and are preferred by even the fussiest of painters because of their great paint release (how much paint it applies evenly) and minimal splatter. Not to mention that using a synthetic roller is a great way to reduce streaks and leave a smooth, consistent finish.
The perfect microfibre roller should also be durable and easy to apply paint to most surfaces and walls in mind with a great finish to match the look & feel you need. Two Fussy Blokes microfibre rollers are made with all of this in mind and we’re confident that you’ll love them as much as we do!
De-fuzz the paint roller
A great way to prepare your roller once you’ve got it is to give it a wash in water (if you’re using water-based paints!). If you’re using an oil-based paint, you can do the same by washing it in mineral spirits. Ensure that there isn’t any excess liquid once you’ve pre-wetted the roller and reduce the chance of any lint or fuzz being applied to the surface you’re painting. Another way to de-fuzz your paint roller is to use a vacuum or some painter’s paint to wipe the lint off.
Squeeze excess paint before you start rolling
A mistake beginner painters tend to do is use too much paint on their paint roller! Too much paint can cause streakiness, harsh lines and unnecessary splatter that even the best material paint roller can’t avoid. The perfect amount of paint to load on your roller should be just shy of overflowing – you should be able to see a very small amount of the microfibres and the roller should feel slightly heavy. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to start with less and add more as you go along than trying to remove excess paint. An easy tip is to squeeze the excess paint off in your roller tray before picking it up for your painting to begin.
Overlap your lines as your paint
To ensure your painting is seamless, we recommend a technique that involves always painting over your previous roll to avoid defined lines of where you rolled your paint roller. Don’t go too overboard with the overlap and add one too many coats on certain sections but make sure you’re covering the 2 to 3 centimetres on each side of the sections you’ve previously rolled.
Don’t push too hard with the roller
Moderate pressure is best for using a paint roller and you should find a comfortable grip and pressure that suits you. Pushing too hard when rolling can cause paint to come off in blobs rather than giving even coverage. If you’re finding it difficult to get an even coat, it’s likely because your paint roller is overloaded – see point three!
Paint in a W or N pattern
A great tip to avoid any paint lines or streaks is to roll your paint in a W pattern. This means that for every section you’re painting, you should start from the top and make three downward strokes that form a W. Once you’ve done this, fill in the empty spaces by going over the entire section again with up and down strokes until the paint is even. Another pattern that’s often used is an N pattern as well. Depending on what you’re painting, see which technique best suits you and give it a go!
Let us know what you think of these paint roller techniques and tips and you went if you used any of them! Either way, you can always find the equipment and high-quality microfibre paint rollers to do the job at Two Fussy Blokes.