Decorating experts shared the most common paint roller mistake that can lead to a DIY disaster
The mistake you’re making when using a paint roller and how to avoid it
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How to use a paint roller might seem straightforward enough. But in fact, there’s more to it than what initially meets the eye. Once you master the technique of how to paint your walls with a paint roller, then decorating your home will be smooth sailing. But first, there are a few things you need to know, according to our pros.
Don’t go at it without any preparation as that can result in a DIY disaster. In fact, the most common mistake when using a paint roller is dipping it too far into the paint, which results in a dripping mess or worse, uneven, paint-splattered walls.
So to avoid making this (or other) mistake, follow our simple expert-approved guide on how to paint a room using a paint roller.
How to use a paint roller
What you should do first is choose the right paint roller depending on your wall texture. ‘You can choose the right roller by assessing the surface you want to paint,’ advises Mandy Rippon, product manager at Frenchic Paint. ‘If it has a rougher surface, you’ll want a thicker roller. If it’s a smooth surface, you’ll want a thinner one.’
Once you’ve got your roller, your tray and your paint, it’s time to pour your paint into the tray. But it’s important to know how much paint you need to pour out, most people advise you get the roller tray about half full.
The next step is perhaps the most important one as this is where most people trip up – saturating the roller with paint.
‘Aim to have the roller saturated with paint, but not so much that it’s dripping,’ Mandy starts.
You'll want to push your roller up and down the tray's ramp in small, quick strokes to both let it be fully covered with paint while letting excess run off. People often get carried away and dip the roller too deeply in, which results in a rather messy fail, both splattering out and ending up with patchy walls.
FAQs
How do you paint with a roller without leaving marks?
There are a few different tips, tricks and paint ideas to achieve an even finish on your walls when painting with a roller.
Firstly, don’t rush it. ‘Painting takes longer than most people think, and so it’s easy to fall into the trap of rushing. Try to not do this as you may miss spots or be left with an uneven layer. Take it steady,’ Mandy says.
Another common error is not blending, according to Mandy. ‘Try to blend the edges of each roll so as not to leave noticeable marks. You can do this by overlapping and smoothing the edges of the paint from the previous roll while it’s still wet.’
And there you have it. That’s the basics of painting with a paint roller, which is all you need to achieve evenly painted walls.
