Applying paint with a roller and roller pad is a popular and efficient way to cover large, flat wall and ceiling surfaces with latex paint. This method is most commonly used on the interior of houses and buildings, but the exterior of a house can be painted this way when there is a large, flat expanse of wall, such as on a stucco or masonry wall. Here are a few things you might need to know before you begin.
Preparation
A wall or ceiling surface needs to be washed and rinsed before it can be painted. This is done first so that the coat(s) of paint has a clean surface to adhere to. For interior walls a soap and water mixture applied to the wall with a sponge should remove all grease and dirt. After the wall or ceiling is washed it needs to be rinsed and allowed to dry before painting can commence.
Tools
When you paint the surfaces you will need a paint roller and a roller pad. The pad slides over the roller and it functions to transfer the paint to the wall. A paint tray is vital also, for this is where the paint is placed after it is stirred (the paint should be stirred while still in the can) and before it is applied to the walls and ceilings. Also necessary are a drop cloth, an angled trim brush and some masking tape to cover woodwork and the edges of openings.
Spreading The Paint
Paint is spread to the wall or ceiling by running the roller and pad slowly across the surface. As you do this, pressure is applied to the wall to help transfer the paint. Learning just how much paint to have on the roller requires a little trial and error, but if paint starts to drip or splatter, then you definitely have too much paint on the roller. Usually it is necessary to to paint the very edges of a wall or ceiling with a paintbrush. This is best done before the paint is applied with the roller.
Extensions
Extensions are long wooden or plastic handles that screw into the bottom of the roller handle in order to make the handle longer. Normally the handle of the paint roller is six to eight inches long, but with an extension that length can be extended to six feet or more. An extension is used so that out-of-reach areas can be painted while still standing on the floor of the room that is being painted.
Texture
Texture can be applied with a roller to a wall or ceiling surface before you paint or the texture can be added to the paint and then the mixture can be applied in one coat. Roller pads come in several different types and special pads are made to aid in the application of textured paint. Pure joint compound is sometimes used as a texture that is directly placed on the wall before you paint.
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