SUPPLIES
- Latex paint
- Paint tray
- Paint roller
- Paint sleeve
Overview
Painting a wall with a roller is an easy thing to do. However, there are a few techniques that can improve the quality of your paint job and reduce the waste of expensive paint.
Step 1
Prepare your roller. Before you put the roller on its handle, run tap water over the roller, and squeeze out the excess water. Run the roller over a clean, dry rag or paper towel to make sure you've gotten most of the water out. Almost any clean, absorbent material will do, except for newspaper, as the ink will come off on your roller.
Step 2
Fill your paint tray to the halfway mark. Place your roller into the paint and pull it back to the grid portion of the tray. Begin rolling over the grid, without dipping into the pool of paint. Repeat this process two more times to be sure your roller is saturated. If you lift the roller and it's dripping with paint, run it over the grid a few more times to remove the excess.
Step 3
Place your roller on the wall and paint an area approximately two to four feet square. Start by making a large 'M' shape with your roller. Without lifting your roller from the surface, go back over the painted area with horizontal strokes, filling in the M.
Step 4
Move to the next area by lightly rolling over the edges of the area you just finished painting, while also allowing your roller to partly enter the new area you're about to paint. Stop, and add paint to your roller by repeating the process in Step 2.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Be sure to paint the portion near the ceilings and corners before painting the walls. Use a small paint brush to complete that part of the project, since rollers don't work in corner areas.
Be sure that the wall surfaces are clean and free of all dirt, grime and grease before you begin.
Your first paint stroke should be an upward stroke, to avoid paint drips on the wall.
Resources
