How to Properly Use Roller Covers
Roller Pile Length
You might think that if you use a deeper pile more paint will be left on the walls and that you might be able to save a coat of paint in application. This is not the case and may cause you to have to put an extra coat of paint on the walls. When using a deeper piled roller, it is true that there will be more paint left on the tip of the paint’s stipple, but at its base, there is often insufficient paint left for adequate coverage. To remedy this, it is recommended to use a shorter, denser pile roller so that the stipple effect is lessened and the paint is more evenly distributed on the substrate. The only sure thing about using a deeper piled roller is that there will be a more noticeable stipple or roller finish on the surface, which is often unacceptable, especially on smooth walls.
Roller Lint
When rolling with oil paint, fibers from the roller will often become apparent on the walls. To remedy this, use only rollers that have previously been used in latex paints. In the cleaning process of the roller, almost all of the lint and excess fibers are removed from the roller when it is being spun – at this point it’s safe to use it for alkyd purposes. There are ‘lint-free’ rollers out there, but don’t trust them. Completely dip them in thinner (mineral spirits) and spin them out thoroughly before dipping the roller sleeve into the oil paint.
Back-rolling
Back-rolling is done to aid in paint coverage. It is re-rolling an area before the original coat has dried. With oil paints it is quite easy because the set up time for oil paints is about thirty minutes. But latex paints have a set up time of about five minutes, which makes back-rolling a little more difficult. You have to make sure that the paint has not dried in certain areas because rolling over that can cause a very rough stipple effect on the walls and will be quite visible when the paint has dried. People often back-roll after a sprayer has applied a coat of paint on the surface. This is done to help even out the paint and push the paint into areas that the sprayer was not able to get.
Back-rolling and VOC Paints
Normal latex paints have a solution called glycol in them to prolong the drying time of the paint. This allows the paint to be ‘worked with’ longer – allowing it to be back-rolled. A VOC free paint dries very quickly. It is important to always have a wet edge to reduce lap marks. It is not recommended to try and back-roll when you are using VOC free paint.
