Anyone who has ever painted a room knows that the paint roller is an indispensable tool for covering large areas. Rollers apply paint evenly, smoothly and save hours of time. Inexperienced painters are often bewildered by the variety of roller covers at the paint store, but professional painters know that certain rollers work better with interior paints and others work best with outdoor, oil-based paints.
When to Use Synthetic Rollers
The most common type of roller cover is synthetic, made of knitted or woven polyester or nylon. Synthetic rollers are the best choice when using latex or other water-based paints. The reason is that synthetics won’t absorb the water in the paint and become matted. Foam rollers are another synthetic choice, but most professionals dislike them except when a very high gloss finish is called for.
Why Use a Lambswool Paint Roller?
Lambswool in the form of shearling (skin with the wool still attached) was the original material used in making paint rollers and is still the best when using oil-based paints. Lambswool paint rollers are much more absorbent than synthetic rollers. This means that the roller will pick up more paint and cover more evenly and quickly.
Other Features to Consider
Both lambswool paint rollers and synthetics come in different naps. The nap refers to the length of the fiber. A general rule is that the smoother the surface to be painted is, the shorter the roller nap should be. A knowledgeable paint dealer will know which roller is perfect for the job.
