[xlur8ed]

I am using a roller for the first time, and painting virgin walls (our home is being built, and they allow us to paint different colors if wanted before flooring/trim goes in).

I have applied 4 coats, and the last 2 coats were to try and get rid of the uneven look. You can only see this unevenness from an angle with sunlight. Looking at the wall straight on looks awesome and even. It is NOT the sheet rock showing through.

I was told to paint with a "W" technique, but it would appear I should have just gone straight up and down on the last coat?!? I obviously need another coat, but I want it to be the last.


Details:

Used a nice quality roller
Used high end paint from Pittsburgh Paint
Paint was well shaken and stirred

Help please (again, I am a beginner painter, so someone who is willing to offer detailed advice on how to fix this in as little of time would be appreciated...I know zero techniques other than the "W" application method, and still probably screwed that up)

Thanks for your time,

Jason

 

[chrisn]

Not trying to be a smat @ss but did you PRIME first?? If so with what?? They is no reason that you shoul be putting 5 coats on new walls, even if you were doing it completly wrong:wink:

 

[DangerMouse]

good point chris. but if he didn't primer first, what are his options to fix what he's done so far?

DM

 

[chrisn]

Prime over all and re paint.

 

[xlur8ed]

No offense taken guys. Yes the walls were primed. The home builder allows one color of paint throughout the home (included with the price) that they do (so prime and any color you want on ALL walls), then they give you the option to go in and paint over their paint for accenting (which is what I did). I don't know what to say, except maybe I was pushing the roller too hard (I read last night that there should be almost NO pressure, while I was PUSHING to squeeze all the paint out), or going over some areas that were dry to 'smooth out'?!?

Nobody will offend me, I am here for a laugh, and hopefully guidance

 

[jerryh3]

Looks like one of my paint jobs. What nap roller did you use?

 

[jogr]

Actually it looks like you did an excellent job painting. What you are seeing is the transition between the drywall outer paper layer and the mud job. Each has a slightly different texture and that will show through quite a few layers of paint.

I suggest you pop over to the Contractortalk.com forum and search the painting forum. I know I've seen this discussed on there and solutions were given. Since that forum is for pros you won't want to post questions there but if you search I'm certain that you will find it's already been discussed numerous times.

 

[saggdevil]

I just had a similar problem in DR using SW classic 99 paint. I had used Zinsser 123 primer. SW replaced the paint for me, but I have 3 and 4 coats in areas and it really needs done again. One wall was bare plaster (the worst wall) and rest was painted over wallpaper that I didn't have time to remove (96 years worth or painted over wallpaper).

I have been advised to use Zinsser Guardz primer with microfiber rollre sleeve. This particular primer is supposed to be the best to seal fresh mud areas or a lot of repair work and for other applications. I was advised to use the microfiber roller sleeve as the Guardz is thin and runny and this coats it best otherwise it would drip in floor.

 

[jerryh3]

Actually it looks like you did an excellent job painting. What you are seeing is the transition between the drywall outer paper layer and the mud job. Each has a slightly different texture and that will show through quite a few layers of paint.

I suggest you pop over to the Contractortalk.com forum and search the painting forum. I know I've seen this discussed on there and solutions were given. Since that forum is for pros you won't want to post questions there but if you search I'm certain that you will find it's already been discussed numerous times.

I think it's a little more than that. The marks don't seem to be consistent with the tape joints. It looks more like they're roller marks to me.

 

[saggdevil]

I was also advised to go from 3/8" to 1/2" nap roller to hold more paint and to put no pressure on roller.

 

[mazzonetv]

There is no mention of what brand/type of paint was used, what brand primer was used. If the primer is what the builder used, then you can be sure it is the lowest end primer available. Looks like you are using an eggshell finish on your paint which required a better primer to give your sheen a more uniform appearance. I would prime with a GOOD primer like 1-2-3, have the primer tinted to match your top coat, then paint with a high quality paint like Ben Moore or SW.

From what I can see on the pics it certainly looks more like roller marks than tape joints - unless your builder tapes in a W pattern? You might also want to switch to a Matte finish which will be more forgiving for you.

Good luck!

 

[chrisn]

What he( or she) said (mazzonetv):thumbsup:

 

[sirwired]

Looking at those photos, I have two suspects:
1) Stretching a roller load too far. A 3/8" roller load can handle a single 8'-10' vertical stripe. No more.
2) Pushing on the roller. Let the roller and paint do the work. There is no need to push at all.

Also, vertical stripes are the way to go; the W/M/N pattern stuff is just additional work. Roll a stripe, backroll once or twice, re-roll the previous stripe a couple of times, and move on.

SirWired

 

[antelope]

looks to me that you're not putting paint evenly on the roller fron those pictures,thats why it looks like skip marks. you should also try doing a even coat through out and dont let your roller run out of paint cause it will leave spots, always keep it wet and that should give you a nice even coat.

 

[xlur8ed]

Thank you all for the words of wisdom. I was in fact letting the roller run dry (strike 1), and also pushing on the roller to get it to the point of bone dry (strike 2), and also painting in W (strike 3). I went into this project wondering why the paint guy said 2 coats...MAYBE 3, and I was at 4 and still uneven. I am going to apply a final coat to all the walls using a single vertical swipe before rewetting the roller (smoothing out any lines that appear before moving on, but smoothing in the direction of the wet paint, instead of the dry surface). I can accept 'good', and don't expect 'amazing', but this was just simply a waste of money and time to leave it looking like that.

Again, I appreciate all of your knowledge and helpful insight.

Take Care!

Jason