Paint Rollers - Cut Any Room Down To Size

When you stare at a wall in a big room, armed only with a paint brush, you probably feel seriously overwhelmed. Luckily, there is a tool that makes the task much less terrifying - the versatile, amazing paint roller. Paint rollers allow people to drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to paint a large, flat surface, like a wall with few windows or a ceiling.

Most people don't realize that there are any options beside the cheap DIY grade paint roller handles that can be found in almost any big box store. They apply paint to the wall just fine, especially if the DIYer springs for the nicer roller covers. However, cutting in around windows and getting paint into corners is just plain impossible with these rollers. Still there are ways around this problem. You can cut in with a brush first and then go back and roll the rest of the walls.

Recently, I discovered a trick the pros use - a professional paint roller. Those little plastic end caps that keep the rollers from getting into the corners are missing on these rollers. That means that you need to do less cutting in and you can avoid using the brush to paint corners all together. However, you'll still need to paint the area where the wall connects to the ceiling and crevices that are too tight for the roller to get into by hand. If your baseboard trim is already installed, you may also want to cut in around the baseboard with a brush, too.

When you shop for a paint roller handle and covers, you should start by thinking about the job you are buying them for. The traditional short roller is fine for normal walls. If you are doing a cathedral ceiling, though, you may want to look for a rod extension. This extension screws into the handle and makes it much easier to reach higher spots.

Next, think about the texture on the walls. There are covers that work better with different wall surfaces. For instance, popcorn finishes need a roller that can handle that rough, uneven surface without falling apart and there are special roller covers for this type of wall.

You can also find covers that create a pattern. These covers make certain faux painting techniques much easier, since rolling is so much quicker than stenciling or freehand painting a design.

About Author:
Niall Roche - Painting a huge wall in any home can be a scary task. Painting rollers make that scary task a thing of the past. Click on over to PaintSplashes.com for more interior painting tips and ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

WallDreams Paint Ideas!

Paint Rollers and Covers 101
Cheapie covers are made with a cardboard roll inside and usually spatter paint profusely, while quality covers have a plastic roll.
A paint roller is the frame and handle that holds the roller cover. The most common size is the 9" and quality rollers are worth their investment. Some will easily release the cover by tapping the frame which is quite convenient.
3" to 4" trim roller - good for narrow areas.
Nap or pile - the length of fiber on the cover.
Synthetic covers - oil-base paint and primers.
Lamb's wool covers - water-base paint and primers.
Mohair covers - smooth surfaces, oil-base enamels, all paint types, varnish.
1/8" to 1/4" Short Nap: very smooth surfaces, enamels, gloss
3/8" to 1/2" Medium Nap: semi rough surfaces, latex, flat paints
3/4" to 1-1/4" Long Nap: rough surfaces, stucco, brick, block

Specialty roller covers:
Stippling - unique marking of paint and textured paint
Foam - smooth and textured available.
Fabric - good for rag rolling faux technique.
Stenciled - foam or rubber patterns, double roller available for blending two colors at once.

Roller cover prep - before using, roll the cover across tape to remove loose fibers.

Til we paint again,
Donna of WallDreams

Paint Brushes Are An Investment

Brushes are the most important painter's tools. Buying brushes is not just a random decision, but one that should be made carefully. Selection of brushes is personal and is based upon needs and level of investment desired. Because a brush will only last as well as it is cared for, proper cleaning and storage of brushes is probably even more important than the decision of what brush to buy. Because no matter how wonderful a brush is, if it is abused it will quickly be discarded.

Types of Brushes

The hair of the brush is what primarily denotes what type of brush it is and it's purpose. Although natural hair brushes usually cost more, they do not all create the same results. Sable hair brushes are probably the most popular brushes. They are soft haired brushes that move the paint easily and keep their point. Sable brushes are great for watercolor. Hog hair is also used to make brushes, but has a very different effect with media. Hog hair brushes are stiff brushes for heavy paint and will leave brush strokes behind. They have spilt ends and hold more paint and are used in oil painting. Synthetic brushes are also common for artists to use. These are generally less expensive, but still produce quality work. Paint brushes are an artist tools and several different types are needed depending on the project and desired result sought. More expensive brushes keep their shape after a stroke and do not fishtail or bend when paint is applied to paper or canvas and therefore have a more professional result. Less expensive brushes may be suited for some jobs, especially when used in crafts and with products like glue. The other factor identifying a brush is the handle. Traditionally long handled brushes are used for oil painting because the artist is standing at an easel. Shorter handled brushes are for watercolor and acrylics because the artist is sitting and painting in greater detail.

Cleaning and Care for Brushes

Because how well a brush is cared for effects how long the brush will last, extra effort put in to properly care for these important tools will be well worth the time. All brushes will eventually wear out and will then need to be replaced, but lengthening the span of time before that is necessary will help the budget. Cleaning is crucial to extending the life of a brush. Each brush should be cleaned immediately after use. Use a mild soap and clean in the palm of the hand. Rinse thoroughly and when water runs clear, lay the brush flat to dry. It should not be left vertical to dry as this will cause water to be pulled into the handle and will ultimately cause the handle to loosen and the brush will no longer be usable. Paint brushes should never be left sitting in a glass of water. Other than the effect it will have on the handle, it will crush the bristles. If the brushes are soaked, use a brush container that will suspend them and only fill the water to soak the bristles and not the ferrule or handle. After the paint brush is cleaned and dried it may be stored upright, or in a flat brush holder. Cleaning brushes is not only done at the end of a painting session, but should be done as needed. As a person is painting, effort should be made to keep paint away from the ferrule of the brush, but inevitably will naturally be drawn up the brush. As the paint gets close to the ferrule, it should then be cleaned. This is to prevent the paint from getting under the ferrule and drying there. Natural hair brushes also need to be conditioned on a regular basis. There are paint brush soaps that come with conditioners in them, or conditioner can be bought separately.

Make the investment of brushes one that will be used wisely. The results that a good paint brush produces are worth the initial cost, but only if the effort is made to care for them and extend the value of the investment.

About Author:
Emma Snow is a creator at Craft Kits http://www.craft-kits.net/ leading portals for crafts and creative individuals.


WallDreams Paint Tips!
Size does matter when painting. Use the correct size for the project at hand - why use many brush strokes with a tiny brush, when one pass with a larger brush will get the stroke down? Size to task!

Parts of a brush:

• Bristles - Natural or synthetic, some are meant for use with oil based products only, others are meant for water-based use only. Also of great importance is to use the proper method of cleaning the brush to the medium used. Bristles are the head of your brush.
• Ferrule - The metal part of the brush that attaches the bristles to the handle. Better brushes are crimped 2 to 3 times.
• Handle - Usually made of wood and may be shaped round or flat. The wood may be raw, varnished or painted, thus making the cleaning of the brush easier or not.

Cleaning your brushes: Wipe off the excess on tissue, paper towel, or cloth, gently squeezing toward the bristle tips, to remove paint. Do not tug on bristles. For oils of course, use turpentine or oil and for any water-based medium use lukewarm water to rinse the brush. Hot water is a big no-no on your brushes! Again, wipe on cloth, then dab the brush onto a piece of mild soap and work up a lather in the palm of your hand, using mild pressure. This is a repeat as necessary until all paint is removing, showing no trace of color, then rinse to remove the soap.

Reshape the bristles with your fingers, air dry with tip UP, not on its head. A pro painter will have separate brushes for oil and water-based usage.

For a video: How to Plan a Wall Mural Painting: Brushes for Painting Wall Murals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f-w21vPiX0

WallDreams brings you information you can use - when doing it yourself is the only way to go!