In my previous post, I mentioned how to sequence your interior painting project. Today, I will mention a few tips from the pros when it comes to using a roller. Typically, after you ‘cut in’ or finish your first coat of edging, you will want to roll on your first coat of paint. A professional painting company will lightly sand your interior walls before applying the first coat, but that step is up to you. Things to remember when rolling interior walls:
- You always want to start your roller in the middle of the wall approximately 1 foot in from where you just stopped rolling
- Always roll from the top of the wall to the bottom and back to the top in one smooth stroke
- Please make sure to only take your roller off the wall at the very top or very bottom of the wall (if you take your roller off the wall in the middle, it can leave a roller mark that can be seen in certain lights)
- For most applications – a 15mm roller sleeve will be the right thickness (perfect for new drywall)
- Sometimes professional painters will use a slightly thicker roller sleeve (20mm) in order to try and blend the texture from plaster to new drywall
- For textured plaster (interior) or stucco exterior a 25mm or 30mm roller can be used for such a rough surface
- However, most painting companies will spray and back roll a stucco exterior.
Now you’re rollin!