HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ROLLERS AND BRUSHES

Painting a room isn’t just about the quality of paint, but what tools you use. By investing in the right brushes and rollers, you can get the job done faster and with higher-quality coverage and a better finish.

PAINT BRUSHES

Choose which type of brush you need:

Natural
Natural Brushes are used for oil-based paints.

Synthetic
FrogTape® works best with emulsion or water-based paints which are best applied with synthetic brushes. These brushes keep their shape and maintain stiffness no matter how much water they’re exposed to.

THEN, CHOOSE A BRUSH SIZE AND SHAPE:

Smaller, angled brush is for cutting and trim work.

Flat brush is great for molding.

Larger brushes are used for painting corners or when you’re covering larger surfaces.

Before you buy your brush, make sure to:
1. Tug on the bristles. If one or two bristles can be pulled out, the brush is poorly made.
2. Hold the brush by the handle to make sure it feels comfortable in your hand.

PAINT ROLLERS

Think about the rollers width:
If you have a large, flat area to paint, like a wall or ceiling, rollers are a great option. A smaller roller is great for trimming or narrow areas, while larger rollers are great for interior walls or ceilings.

Consider the material, or nap, of the roller:
Smooth surfaces, like a wallboard, smooth plaster, wood or metal = Short-nap roller
Rougher surfaces, like stucco, concrete brick or rough wood = Longer-nap roller

Consider the paint’s finish or sheen:
Gloss and semi-gloss paints go on better with short-nap rollers because this generates fewer bubbles when you’re rolling out the paint.

Before you buy your roller, make sure to:
1. Squeeze the roller cover. If the roller cover returns to its original shape, it’s better quality.
2. Choose a plastic “cage.” A plastic cage can stand up better to the job and it’s easier to clean.

Look for quality covers. Cheaply made rollers can leave fibers and lint behind on the painted surface.