For wall painting Three types of tools are used: brushes, rollers and spray guns. Which of these tools should you prefer if you are going to paint the walls in your apartment yourself? For this type of painting work, any specialist will recommend choosing a roller. Why?
Brush processes the surface slowly, it often has to be dipped in paint. At the same time, it is quite difficult to achieve a uniform and even surface with its help. Airbrush It does an excellent job of painting large areas and can create a perfectly even layer of paint. But it is quite expensive, and not everyone decides to buy this unit for one-time work. The golden mean between simplicity and quality of work isroller selection. It can be called a unique tool, because, having the simplest design and low cost, it is incredibly effective.
Roller device
A wall paint roller is an elementary design consisting of three parts:
- through cylinder made of wood, aluminum or plastic;
- absorbent coat;
- handle, consisting of a handle for holding the roller in the hand and a rod on which the cylinder is mounted.
When the tool is dipped in paint, the fur coat absorbs it with its entire surface. During operation, the cylinder rotates on the rod, ensuring uniform rolling of the paint on the walls. Roller painting is a pleasure because it is almost effortless and does not require special skills. Thanks to the features of its device, this tool allows you to work quickly and save paint.
Lever
The length of the roller handle is usually between 30 and 50 cm. When the handle needs to be extended, for example to paint the top of a high wall or ceiling, a special telescopic rod is used. It can be made from aluminium, plastic-coated metal or fiberglass.
According to their design, the handles are divided into two types:
- clasp;
- two-shoulder.
The clasp handle is, in fact, a curved metal rod on which a nozzle is attached - a cylinder with a fur coat. To fix the nozzle, a special coupling or hairpin is used.
The two-shoulder handle is a fork that holds the nozzle on both sides.
Nozzle attachment
Depending on the method of attaching the nozzle, the rollers are:
- detachable;
- tough.
The detachable roller allows the use of interchangeable nozzles. This is very convenient, because under one handle you can pick up nozzles with different fur coats and change them as needed.
The rigid roller is a one-piece construction. After the coat is worn out, such a tool will have to be thrown away entirely, since the handle and nozzle are inseparable from each other.
Types of roller depending on the material
The classification of rollers according to the type of material from which its fur coat is made is especially important, since the appearance of the coating will depend on the texture of the nozzle. The following materials are used to make a coat of a painting tool:
- fur;
- foam rubber;
- various types of artificial fiber (polyamide, polyester, polyacryl, polyurethane flock fiber).
fur roller
The painting tool may have a sheepskin or faux fur coat. It is considered universal, since it can be painted on any surface.
Advantages of a fur coat
- well absorbs paint;
- copes well with the creation of a uniform layer of paint;
- allows you to paint over small wall defects - dents, cracks, chips, bumps;
- suitable for all types of paints and varnishes; the exception is a natural fur coat, which does not tolerate lime compounds.
Minuses
- can “lose” the pile, leaving fallen hairs on the painted surface of the walls (usually, cheaper tools “sick” with this);
- has a fairly short lifespan.
foam roller
The nozzle of this tool is made of polyurethane. It is suitable for water-based paints and primers, as well as for adhesives and varnishes.
pros
- low price.
Minuses
- splashing paint;
- does not paint the surface evenly;
- does not tolerate compositions with aggressive components;
- wears out quickly, in fact it is enough for one time.
Velor roller
It has a fur coat with a very short pile - no more than 1.5 mm, and feels like velvet to the touch. This roller is called the tool of professionals. In skillful hands, he is able to create a perfect smooth coating, but he does not forgive mistakes - all flaws will be noticeable. Great for applying varnish.
pros
- allows you to get a uniform and absolutely smooth layer.
Minuses
- it does not have a very good absorbency, because of this it requires more frequent dipping in paint;
- requires painting skills, so it is better for beginners to prefer other types.
thread roller
A roller with a fur coat made of artificial thread, most often made of polyamide, is a universal choice for all coatings.
pros
- has high wear resistance;
- suitable for absolutely any formulations;
- perfectly absorb and hold paint;
- provides high speed of work;
- easy to clean;
- creates a pleasing texture.
Minuses
- may splatter paint.
Size classification
Rollers can be divided into three groups depending on the width and diameter of the nozzle:
- Mini rollers. They have a small width of the working part - up to 150 mm. Designed for painting surfaces of a small area or hard-to-reach places, such as corners.
- Midi or medium sized cushions. The width of the nozzle of such a tool is from 150 to 200 mm, the diameter can be from 40 to 70 mm. This type is the most common and versatile, as it is the optimal combination of good coverage and low weight.
- Facade rollers have the largest size, their width exceeds 250 mm, the diameter of the nozzle is more than 80 mm. Large rollers belong to a professional tool, have a thickened core and a high quality fur coat. The facade painting tool impregnated with paint has a decent weight, therefore it requires a certain skill.
How to choose the length of the pile
The amount of paint that it can absorb and, accordingly, the thickness of the applied layer of paint depends on the length of the pile of the roller. A long pile has thicker threads, a short pile has thinner ones. The choice of pile length depends on the texture of the painted walls.
- For a rough surface - putty, concrete, wood - a fur coat with a pile of medium length - 5-20 mm is best suited.
- For smooth walls made of metal, plastic or drywall you will need a fur coat with a pile length of up to 5 mm;
- Large-relief surfaces, for example, covered with textured plaster, are painted with a tool with a pile length exceeding 20 mm.
Textured rollers
Relief and structural rollers can be distinguished into a separate category. These tools are designed for additional decoration of the painted surface. The nozzle of such a roller can be made of rubber, leather, foam rubber, wood, a protruding pattern is applied to it. When rolled evenly over fresh paint, it leaves prints on it.
Using the relief tool, you can apply a pattern or pattern to painted walls using paint in a contrasting color. Texture rollers are also used to create a specific texture on decorative plaster, paint, liquid wallpaper.
How to choose a quality roller
A huge variety of rollers from different manufacturers is presented in construction stores, and it is often difficult for a novice master to understand which tool is better in quality. In order to make the right choice, you need to remember a few features that a good tool should have:
- When squeezing the fur nozzle, it should quickly restore its original shape.
- The fur coat of the roller should look neat, separate threads or hairs should not be knocked out of it, the seams should not stand out.
- Pay attention to the stripes on the fur coat. Longitudinal stripes indicate that the fur coat is sewn and can be replaced if necessary. Such coats are made for high quality tools. Transverse and oblique stripes mean that the fur coat is glued, it cannot be replaced.
- The number of stripes indicates resistance to aggressive components of paints and varnishes. The more of them, the higher the stability of the roller.
