Painting Sheetrock

helpless handyman

I am getting ready to start priming my new sheetrock walls. Whats the best size of nap roller cover for this? 1/2, 3/8, 1/4? Thanksl

slickshift

1/2" premium quality roller sleeve

Brik

Why do you suggest 1/2" I'm curious. I am using 3/8" on mine right now and it seems to be going OK. A bit slow though. Will 1/2" speed up the process because it can hold more paint? Or, will 1/2" put more paint on the wall, hence I will use more paint? Do you recommend 1/2" because it will leave a bit more texture?

slickshift

1/2" will speed up the process considerably
It holds much more paint, which means less dipping, which costs a fair amount of time...time that is not spent applying paint
It also means less over-lapping with "fresh" and "applied" paint, less chance of lap marks, less need to maintain a "wet edge"...

The 1/2" really doesn't leave more stipple (texture)
Not with a quality paint that has some leveling properties
That and the quality of the sleeve are more determining factors

I really recommend 1/2" as a minumum
Even for DIYers and n00bs

The only thing that might out-weigh the nap size is sleeve quality
If I've got a choice between an iffy 1/2" nap, or a quality 3/8", I'll (hesitantly) take the quality 3/8" over the iffy 1/2"
It'd have to be a choice of one or the other though
I'd never willingly pick up a 3/8" if I could use a 1/2" +

Brik

Hmm. How about for the finish coat, not the primer? Same advice?

I am currently priming my Sheetrock on a basement finishing project. I have gone through 5 gallons of primer so far. I started with a 3/8" roller of unknown quality. It did not leave fuzz and I had zero issues with lap marks or other problems. Only 'problem' was the drywall sucking up the paint. This caused things to go slow and use a fair amount of paint (it seemed to me).

I decided to try one of those paint stick things. It also had a 3/8 nap. It DID speed up the priming process but added time to the cleanup. For longer stints of priming it definitely saved time. I would not even consider it if I was only going to paint/prime for an hour.

slickshift

Yup
The same

joewho

Primer dries to less thickness than paint, and once you have a little bit of experience you might try a 3/4" 50/50 sleeve. On new construction you can use the 3/4 for everything, or if not, then use 3/4 for everything except your top coat. This will speed things up because a good sleeve picks up and releases more paint. Meaning more sq.ft. of coverage per dip. It doesn't use more paint on the overall job.

helpless handyman

Thanks guys, I am using purdy rollers

jmthouston

http://www.bigkahunaroller.com/ much faster no and Brik what do you mean by sticky thing -Emulsabond could you please clarify thanks

slickshift

Minimum quality Purdy I'd recommend would be White Doves

Brik

Ah the stick thing...


^^^^^^^^^Thats not me!^^^^^^^^^^^^^

She is using a paint stick. The paint goes into the handle and pushes out the roller. Holds about 1/2 quart at a time I think. Cost about $20. http://www.wagnerspraytech.com/porta...41919,747.html

slickshift

No it's not you at all...usually you wear your hair down, Brik
Nice look for you though
Makes you look more sofisterkated

boman47k

Heheh, got one of those once. Never again.