Don’t attempt to paint a room without a mini-roller! Mini-rollers are a terrific little tool since at 4” they reach places a normal 9” roller cannot. They are ideal for rolling the outer edge of a ceiling since they get right against the edge and overlap onto the wall. However straight the edges may seem, they are generally not entirely true so overlapping ensures that the paint edge between the two is completely filled.
If bought as a set they generally come complete with small roller-tray and short-handled roller frame. Many again come with a threaded handle to accommodate the connection of an extension pole.
One of the most common mini-rollers is the radiator roller which is the same as a short handled mini-roller but with a longer handle to allow you get right down behind a radiator. Although sold as radiator rollers they do much more than that – allowing you to reach almost from floor to ceiling in one go without the need for a ladder (connect them to a short extension pole and unless the ceiling is abnormally high you will reach from floor to ceiling with ease!). They also allow a long run from side to side on a wall or ceiling. Saves time and gives a better finish!
They are a real benefit when painting walls as they get right into the edges between skirting boards, door-frames and between window-frames and reveals. They also allow you to get (with a bit of practice!) within about half an inch of the top of a wall and the ceiling – something you can’t do with a 9” roller!
Gloss Rollers
Gloss Rollers generally come in two types: High-density foam or Mohair. With either, you can apply gloss paint quickly, evenly and without drips. You can achieve a much better and more even finish with a gloss roller than you can with a brush. The technique to use them is the same as with any other roller...
1. Fill the roller tray with either oil-based or water-based paint
2. Gently cover the roller with paint from the reservoir
3. Roll-off any excess
4. Roll smoothly and evenly onto the surface. A "W" pattern initially then lay off in the same direction for an even finish
High-density foam rollers generally come in the 4" size but Mohair rollers come in 4" or 7" - especially useful if you are painting a quantity of flat-panel doors or surfaces.
"Foaming"
If you are using a high-density foam roller, sometimes "foaming" can occur as you roll the paint out. This is nothing to be concerned about as the effects are easily removed. The effect is a mass of tiny bubbles on the surface of the paint as you roll it out.
To fix it simply let the roller flow across the surface with only its own weight for pressure. This will remove almost, if not all, bubbles. If it doesn't then take a brush and lay off. The surface should now be quite smooth with no trace of bubbles
Rollers spin as they apply paint and can therefore spray paint where you don’t want it. When you take up the roller full of paint from the tray first make sure that it has stopped dripping then roll upwards against the wall slowly at first. After that you can roll quicker!
Sometimes you’ll want to paint a strip of timber – the edge of a door for instance – which is narrower than the roller. Apply carefully as the paint contained on the roller surface not in contact with the strip will fly off the roller onto the nearest surface – including you!
