5 More Tips for Working with Paint

Recently we told you how to paint trim and furniture without getting everything dirty. Today we continue the topic and suggest how to properly work with a roller so that your hands don't get tired and the paint applies evenly.

How to Keep the Tray Clean

Before you start, cover the tray with a plastic bag or food foil. After finishing the job, wait until the paint dries and remove the bag. Now you can throw it away, and reuse the tray many times.

De-grease the Paint Roller

To start, remove all excess from the fur attachment so nothing gets into the paint. You can use sticky tape or rinse the roller under water with a small amount of soap.

Make Your Work Easier

Have you ever noticed how your wrist aches after long painting? The problem is that there's not enough paint on the roller. You have to exert a lot of effort to evenly apply it to the wall — and your hand starts to tire.

If the nap on the roller is matte and dry, it's time to add more paint. Just don't overdo it, or the paint will drip onto the floor.

Apply Paint Evenly

How to ensure that the paint spreads evenly on the roller surface and then on the wall? It's simple:

• Pour more paint into the tray;
• Dip the roller into the paint and roll it a bit to gather enough (you can refer back to the third point here);
• Quickly swipe the roller across the ribbed part of the tray (don't splash the paint): 6–7 rotations is enough for even distribution;
• Apply the paint to the surface with straight movements;
• When the paint on the roller runs out, go over the freshly painted areas to evenly distribute and remove excess;
• Repeat all steps from the beginning.

Extend the Life of the Roller

Any paint should be applied in several layers. Between painting sessions, wrap the roller in a damp paper towel to prevent the nap from drying out. Or store it in a bag or plastic wrap. This way, the nap won't fluff up and will last longer.