Interior painting tips
Discussion
Anyone got some good tips for painting interior walls? I was looking at the 18" rollers and the thicker ones. Are these worth the £? I hate painting so anything that makes it less painful/quicker would be good.
I've already purchased tape for the edge. After a drink or two I can't be trusted to stay in the lines.
I've already purchased tape for the edge. After a drink or two I can't be trusted to stay in the lines.
If your going to do it yourself then buy decent quality materials.
Buy a decent trade paint, not some big shed own brand s
t that goes on like water.
Get a proper medium pile roller not some fluffy sleeve that will shed hairs like a cat.
Don't buy anything with VALUE on it. Buy a decent set of brushes like Harris Platinum they will last years if properly maintained.
I don't mind doing the odd bit of painting such as one wall or spraying a few small items. But I just lose interest in painting whole rooms.
Buy a decent trade paint, not some big shed own brand s
t that goes on like water.Get a proper medium pile roller not some fluffy sleeve that will shed hairs like a cat.
Don't buy anything with VALUE on it. Buy a decent set of brushes like Harris Platinum they will last years if properly maintained.
I don't mind doing the odd bit of painting such as one wall or spraying a few small items. But I just lose interest in painting whole rooms.
9" roller is fine, I can actually run them faster than larger ones, other than back-rolling commercial stuff after the sprayer at least.
Purdy White dove covers are the business if you can get them, 3/8" nap.
I do the cutting in first, some of my guys do it the other way around, makes no odds really. I use a 2.5" medium-stiff brush for most cutting in work.
No point taping stuff, use an edge blade if you can't carry a straight line.
Prep makes a huge difference to the finish quality - take care of any dings etc first even if they're little. Keep the rollers 'loaded', don't run them too dry before dipping.
Also, buy decent paint. It's been years since I bought any in the UK but there's an awful lot of crap stuff out there. We use Benjamin Moore almost exclusively and it makes a massive difference - faster application, better coverage, better finish and so on.
Purdy White dove covers are the business if you can get them, 3/8" nap.
I do the cutting in first, some of my guys do it the other way around, makes no odds really. I use a 2.5" medium-stiff brush for most cutting in work.
No point taping stuff, use an edge blade if you can't carry a straight line.
Prep makes a huge difference to the finish quality - take care of any dings etc first even if they're little. Keep the rollers 'loaded', don't run them too dry before dipping.
Also, buy decent paint. It's been years since I bought any in the UK but there's an awful lot of crap stuff out there. We use Benjamin Moore almost exclusively and it makes a massive difference - faster application, better coverage, better finish and so on.
Edited by Stu R on Friday 18th December 05:19
singlecoil said:
Pads are better than rollers, paint applied with a pad sticks better because it has been 'rubbed' onto the surface.
I have been on hundreds of building sites and have never once seen a pro use anything but a roller.Paint doesn't need rubbing in - dip your head in it - it sticks
Tonsko said:
Pay someone. A decent decorator will get a finish far superior than anything you can manage (no offence).
I know you're right. We had a quote of £120 to do the hallway which I think is a bargain. I decided we would get the whole house done next time we go on holiday. That won't be until later next year and now I'm sick of looking at yellow walls (no offence to those who like yellow) so with 10 days off for Christmas it could be a good chance to do the job myself. 
Renovation said:
singlecoil said:
Pads are better than rollers, paint applied with a pad sticks better because it has been 'rubbed' onto the surface.
I have been on hundreds of building sites and have never once seen a pro use anything but a roller.But I got the impression from the OP that this is his own house, and speed might not be his number 1 priority. If it is, then a roller is the way to go.
RichB said:
Regardless, you're the only one to suggest a pad. Maybe OK but I agree with the others, paint does not need "rubbing in" it's not a bloody brass rubbing!
It doesn't 'need' rubbing in, but if it is applied with a pad then it will stick better than if it is applied with a roller. That may not be important if it never comes under any stress, the adhesion achieved with a roller will be perfectly adequate. But if anyone ever sticks anything to it, for instance double-sided tape to hold up a poster, when it's removed the paint will probably come with it.But if that doesn't happen, then there will be no problem using a roller. A pad will give a better finish but with a matt surface I doubt anyone will notice the difference.
A pad is just as fast as a roller, BTW.
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