If you’ve been on the hunt for the best paint roller for walls I encourage you to read this post until the end. Seriously, don’t turn away at the sight of the little roller below because friends, good things DO come in small packages, and I never thought the solution to my painting problem would be so simple.
This post contains affiliate or referral links. It is a way to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services. Click here for the full disclosure.
Painting: The Cold Hard Facts
I would’ve never considered writing a blog post about painting. Because, let’s get one thing straight.
I hate painting. Especially painting walls. And frankly, I’m not very good at it, so I felt I had nothing to offer.
Until now.
Many people say painting is relaxing, but for me, it’s kinda stressful. Every time I decide to paint a room I’m faced with the same dilemmas:
- What is the best paint roller for walls?
- What kind of paint brush should I use?
- Do I paint the edges first?
- What about floor coverage? Plastic or fabric?
- Should I use one of those paint stick roller thingies that holds my paint?
- Should I try to wash my old paint tray or should I just buy a new one?
- How many coats of paint should I do?
What usually happens when I paint
What typically happens when I get ready to paint a room is I head to the paint store and get a hold of a nice worker. I then proceed to ask all of my questions. Then I go home and watch an insane amount of YouTube videos. This usually results in me purchasing even more painting gear, namely highly-reviewed fancy gadgets, in hopes that painting will be as relaxing as sitting on a beach on a hot summer day.
Once I begin painting, reality sets in, which comes down to severe frustration because the edges I brushed look darker than the walls I rolled, or vice versa. My arms and my neck are sore from all the rolling back and forth and from carrying the weight of the fancy gadgets.
When I’m finished (after approximately 36 hours), the result is meh…
What’s most frustrating, is the fancy tools I paid -lot$$$ of dinero for- end up in the garbage, because I’m too tired, sore, and cranky to spend 15 minutes squeezing and rinsing paint in my utility sink so I can use them again. Use them again, I ask? Are you kidding? I’m never painting again!.
Phew! How’s that for a painting rant?
Can you relate? Or am I just a BIG BABY??
Maybe I’m so bad at painting, there’s no hope.
Best Paint Roller for Walls: A $2 Solution to my Painting Frustrations
The other day I was casually talking to my sister-in-law Natalie (also a DIYer) griping about needing to paint my master bath. Here is how the conversation went:
- Natalie: “I’m getting really fast at painting”.
- Me: Cool. Do you cut in with an angled brush before or after you paint the walls?
- Natalie: “Oh I don’t cut in at all. I don’t use a brush, I just use a roller”
- Me: “Wut”
- Natalie: “My favorite paint roller is little and cheap, and it does the edges, too”
- Me: “Wut”
The next day I headed to the paint store. This time I asked no questions. I headed straight to the paint roller section and grabbed the rollers I had always skipped over because I assumed they wouldn’t do a good job.
Update: Try this link if the rollers are still out of stock on Amazon 🙂
I bought a pack of 6 for about $12. Then I made sure I grabbed the proper handle. This is important to make sure the roller rolls right (say that three times fast) instead of just gliding across the surface of the wall.
Friends, I painted the entire master bathroom with two rollers out of my package of 6. I could’ve done it with one, but I didn’t feel like washing it out after the first coat, and given that they’re so cheap, I felt no guilt throwing it away and using a fresh one for the second coat.
The fact that the roller has “fuzzy stuff” all the way around, helps paint the edges at the same time you’re rolling the walls.
You mean, I don’t need an angled brush?
I didn’t use one. So, unless you have super tiny spaces, you will not need to cut in with a brush (see video below for more on this). The only drawback about not cutting in, is that you have to tape the entire space first, unless of course, you want the entire room to be the same color and you have no windows.
Not having to bother with a brush was worth taping to me. To make sure I didn’t get paint on the ceiling and around the window frame, I used my favorite tape all around the room. It is critical not to use cheap tape to avoid paint seeping under and through. This tape is the BOMB!
I also bought the small disposable paint tray and it was easy to fill and carry around. This little roller holds a LOT of paint. More than I expected for its size. The result was stunning. I’m not a professional painter (shocking, I know) and I found this tool to be the best paint roller for walls I have ever used. I feel like painting walls is SO much easier now! Much less dreadful.
Even after the second coat, my arms were not tired at all because the rollers are so light weight!!. So, until I find something better, I can honestly say this is, hands down, the best paint roller for walls.
Materials ahead are affiliate links. Click here for the full disclosure
This bathroom has come a long way!! Starting with my re-purposed light fixture makeover, to the stick-on mirror frame. I think I’m almost done with it!
Are you motivated to paint your walls now!???
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Let me know how these little guys work for you!
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Cutting In: Top tips to get the perfect edge
What is cutting in?
“Cutting in” is the technique that is used when painting the tight areas of a room: edges of walls, the ceiling line, corners, around window and door frames, skirting boards, architraves …. Basically anywhere that a paint roller can’t quite get into.
What kind of brush is best?
Our top tip for cutting in is to ensure that you invest in a good quality brush. A good quality paintbrush is equally as important as a quality paint, so make sure that you don’t shortcut on your brush. Sometimes the poorer quality of a cheap brush can affect the quality of your paint application. The actual selection of a brush comes down to personal preference, but we recommend either:
Maverick Interior Brush: the thickness of the interior brushes is ideal for internal projects as the bristles are less bulky.
Maverick Sash Cutter: sash cutter brushes were designed for the purpose of cutting in.
Despite the perception that a smaller brush will produce a better result, we recommend using a bigger brush when cutting in. Using a bigger brush will allow you to produce a straighter line, as the bristles will hold together better.
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to chat about paint brushes, so head into your local Inspirations Paint store to chat about your project and work out which brush is best for you.
How to cut in:
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Hold your paint brush like you would hold a pen
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Dip the brush into the pain can 1/3 of the bristle length
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Pat the brush on the inside of the can to make sure all the bristles are saturated with paint (don’t drag the paint brush on the edge of the paint can as this will remove the excess paint – we want to soak the paint into the paint brush to make sure the paint gets to the hidden bristles for a smooth application!)
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Quickly apply the paint on the wall close to the edge you are wanting to paint, but not flush against it. You aren’t cutting in yet - we just want to get the paint on the surface. You don’t want to approach the join or corner with a fully loaded paintbrush as the result will not be as neat. Go back to the applied paint and slowly start spreading the paint into your edge. You want to glide the brush on its edge at a 45-degree angle in a slight arc motion, ensuring you are getting into the tight areas. The slower you spread the paint, the more concise the brush line will be. Make sure you cut in on every coat of paint that is applied.
Top Tips:
Always cut in first then continue painting with a roller. Cut in and paint with a roller one wall at a time. If you cut in all areas first and then roll the entire room, the paint that was applied when cutting in will have dried quicker and you will be left with a patchy, uneven finish. Don’t cut in too wide, only paint a strip approximately 50mm wide. You want to paint a strip that will allow you to get close enough to the adjacent side with your roller but isn’t too wide that your wall dries patchy and with visible lines. Make sure that you cut in on every coat of paint that you apply.
The best order to cut in is:
- Cornices and ceiling lines;
- Corners of the walls to about half way down;
- Middle of the wall down to the bottom of the wall;
- Skirting boards.
Do I need to use tape when cutting in?
Cutting in removes the need to use paint on your paint project only if you are re-painting all the surfaces in your room. For example, if you are giving your skirting board a fresh coat of paint as well, isn’t necessary to tape the skirting board as you will be painting over this as part of your project. However, if you are not planning on painting the trims of your window frame, we definitely recommend using some masking tape for a cleaner finish.
Chat to our Inspirations Paint experts!
Head into your local Inspirations Paint store to have a chat to our friendly staff who just love to talk all things paint, and ask all the question you have about cutting-in! Our teams are equipped with so much knowledge and experience – they may have a trick or two to share, a great product to recommend or offer valuable advice.