A roller is a roller, a brush is a brush, right? Not really. There are many different types of paint rollers and , and knowing how to choose the right ones can save you time.
Choosing the right paint rollers and brushes requires a good understanding of what your project entails.
Paint rollers come in a variety of sizes, each with different applications. To choose the right roller, you need to consider the size of the paint roller you want and the type of surface you want to paint.
Roller cage (including the skeleton with handles and rotating “ribs”) and its lid are available in a variety of lengths. Rollers are available in sizes from mini to 12 inches (and larger). Mini (or trim) rollers are suitable for painting woodwork and other small areas. To work on walls or ceilings, choose a 9-inch roller; larger rollers are heavier and will tire you out more quickly. Roller cages with plastic ribs are more durable than cardboard ones. Plastic is easy to clean and lasts longer than cheaper versions.
You must choose the length and material of the nap on the cover. The roller naps are made of natural or synthetic fibers. Naps come in different lengths, so use the length recommended for the surface you are painting. In general, the longer the nap, the more paint it can hold.
There are two main types of paint brushes: one with synthetic bristles or natural bristles made from animal hair. If you are using paint or varnish that can be washed with water, a brush with synthetic bristles is a good choice. If you are using oil-based varnishes or paints, a brush with natural bristles is more suitable. Synthetic bristle brushes can be used for oil-based paints, but in most cases, natural bristles will give a smoother surface finish. However, when applying water-based paints, do not use a natural-bristle brush. The bristles will absorb moisture and become too soft.
We know it’s tempting to buy a cheap brush and throw it away without cleaning it. This does make sense if you are doing something like priming with an alcohol or oil-based stain, since the quality of the finish doesn’t matter and cleaning requires the use of solvents. But for most projects, you’ll be glad you spent the extra money on a quality paint brush. Better brushes hold more paint, give smoother results, last longer, and are easier to clean. Cost is the easiest indicator of quality.
Other Tips:
Proper cleaning is essential to ensure that your brush lasts longer than a few jobs. Here are some quick steps you can take to make your paint brushes last longer:
-Wash the paint brush thoroughly with warm soapy water after use (for water-based paints). If using oil-based paints, a special solvent remover is required
-Pass the correct cleaning solution through the bristles until the paint becomes loose, rotating the brush constantly to remove as much liquid as possible.
-After drying, place the brush back in its original packaging so that it retains its shape
