Beginner’s Guide to Wall Painting: Do’s and Don’ts of Using A Paint Roller

Do you ever fantasize about completing a project, only to realize you have no idea where to start, or how to go about it? If you’re looking to complete a painting project, but don’t know the first thing about using a paint roller -- you’re not alone. There are tons of beginner painters that don’t know the best tricks and techniques to get the job done right.

Not to worry! We’ve provided the perfect crash course with all the information about paint rolling you’ll ever need.

Get the Right Tools

One of the most important steps to properly using a paint roller is to get started off on the right foot by using the right tools. That means you’ll need a quality paint roller cover -- preferably one you can later wash out — and a roller tray. It’s essential that you aim to get a nice roller cover because unlike its cheaper counterparts you won’t have to worry about it absorbing too much of your paint — allowing you to create more even paint strokes.

Don’t Overcoat the Roller

The next important thing to remember is to avoid overcoating your paint roller. You can do this by lightly placing your roller in the paint — do not fully submerge the roller in paint or your roller will be overcoated and cause excess dripping and an uneven coat distribution. After your roller is coated, roll the paint roller back and forth on the pan until it no longer drips or until the roller sounds like it’s sticking to the pan.

Roll Evenly on the Wall

Here’s the step most people get hung up on — how to properly move the paint roller against your wall surface. The trick is to try to cover the most space possible. Try to get as close to the edges as you can without accidentally touching the other wall. If you feel like you are pushing too hard that means it’s time to dip the roller again.

Wait for it to Dry Before Painting a Second Coat

One key part of painting a wall right is allowing the wall to dry before you paint a second coat on top. If the wall looks wet give it time to dry. When it appears dry, lightly touch it with your finger to see if it’s fully dried. Once it's dried you can go over it with a second coat -- or even a third coat depending on the finish of your paint.

Even with all these rules in mind, we know that painting is no easy task. Sometimes you might be painting in high, hard-to-reach places that can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. And besides the hazards painting can present to beginners, let’s be honest -- painting takes up a lot of time. If you ever feel unsure about a painting job or are looking to redecorate your walls without the hassle of buying, storing, using, and cleaning up painting equipment — we’ve got you covered. Ameri-Pro Painting is qualified to handle any painting job you need taken care of. All you have to do is scroll down and fill out the form below to get a free estimate of our services.