Paint Rollers

Which is the best paint roller to use?

The best paint roller to use depends on the paint projects you want to do. We recommend considering the following types of paint roller widths.

​​4" paint rollers: This mini paint roller is for tight areas or detailed painting such as interior trim or furniture

9" paint rollers: This is the most common width of roller that is used for most painting jobs, including interior walls

12" paint rollers: This slightly bigger paint roller can be used for professional painting and ​​working on heavy-duty commercial projects.

15" paint rollers: This is the largest common size of rollers, usually for large exterior surfaces such as exterior walls. We even offer 18-inch rollers.

Another factor you might consider is the paint rollers’ sleeves themselves, which are generally made from microfibre, foam, or woven fabric. The type of paint roller sleeve you use can have an impact on the paint's finish.

How do you get a smooth finish with a paint roller?

To get a smooth finish, the first step is to choose the right paint roller sleeve for your projects. A foam roller or microfiber paint roller is a perfect choice. Then, follow the below tips from us to get a smooth finish:

Tip 1 - Load your paint roller evenly: Dip your roller into the paint tray and ensure that the paint is equally dispersed on the roller sleeve. This will assist in keeping extra paint from leaking or running, which can result in uneven coverage.

Tip 2 - Use light pressure: Avoid pressing too hard on the paint roller, as this can cause unwanted textures. Instead, use light pressure.

Tip 3 - Roll in one direction: Rolling in a single direction helps prevent uneven coverage or noticeable lines. After finishing a section, raise the paint roller and begin again at the top, halving the distance between your strokes.

Tip 4 - Use a wet edge: When painting, keep the edges wet by gently overlapping each stroke with the one before it. This eliminates any visible lines or streaks and guarantees that every area is coated equally.

Why is my paint roller leaving streaks?

There are possibly 4 reasons that your paint roller is leaving streaks:

Poor Quality Paint: Painting with inferior paint might result in apparent streaks and uneven coverage. For a finish that is uniform and smooth, premium paint like our Rust-Oleum furniture paint is necessary.

Unprepared Walls: Dirt, dust, and old paint layers can interfere with your fresh coat, causing uneven paint streaks. Remember to clean your walls with a specialist surface cleaner before any paint is applied.

Improperly Loaded Paint Rollers: Either over- or under-loading your roller can produce excess paint or uneven paint streaks.

Overpressurisation: Excessive pressure can extract more paint from the roller's edges, resulting in the dreaded roller marks.

What is a common mistake made when using a paint roller?

To help you achieve the best result for your paint project, we want to remind 5 common mistakes when using a paint roller.

Mistake 1 - Using The Wrong Roller Sleeve: The texture of your walls and the finish you choose will determine which sleeve is best. The more texture added, the longer the sleeve!

Mistake 2 - Using the Wrong Brush: If you choose a paint brush over a paint roller, investing in a good brush will give you a significantly higher chance of a smooth, brushstroke-free finish. A set of paint brushes like the Hamilton Perfection Paint Brush Box Set might be a great choice.

Mistake 3 - Not Remixing Paint Before You Pour: Always grab a couple of stir sticks unless you want to paint shortly after obtaining your paint. You may end up with clumps of paint or an uneven finish on your paint roller.

Mistake 4 - Not Fully Loading The Roller: When applying paint, if the paint roller is not fully loaded, the pressure on the roller pushes the air contained at the core to the surface, causing hundreds of small bubbles to appear on the wall. Occasionally, they burst, creating little craters in your paint, and other times, they remain intact.

Mistake 5 - Recoat Without Waiting for Paint to Dry: The paint will begin to take on colour as it dries. The even drying of the colour is the greatest sign that your wall is ready for a second coat.