roller covers
Respirators should be used mostly as backup protection. Your first line of defense should always be to select the least-hazardous material that will do the job. Then, work in ways that generate the least dust or other pollution (for example, misting the surface before sanding greatly cuts down on dust). Next, assure adequate ventilation. Finally, use a respirator to take care of any hazard that's left.
If you need to filter out sawdust or other particles
A roller cover may be an afterthought, but it can make or break your paint job. The wrong roller cover can leave stripes, splotches, dimples and even lint on the painted surface. You'll save time and get better results by choosing a quality roller that's suited to your job.
We look for rollers that have an impervious plastic core, rather than the shape-shifting cardboard core that's common in bargain brands. The fabric is dense, so it holds more paint for faster coverage, and it provides a smoother finish with fewer air bubbles and less lint. There are no conspicuous seams to cause streaks in the painted surface.
Since we've taken care of quality considerations, you'll simply need to select a roller cover that's appropriate for the surface you're painting and the type of paint you'll use. In general, a shorter nap is used with glossier finishes, and a slightly longer nap with flat paints. All of our rollers are compatible with the latex paints we sell.
When you're deciding what roller cover is right for the surface you're painting, the rule of thumb is, “The smoother the surface, the shorter the nap.” For smooth surfaces such as plaster, sheetrock and smooth wood, use a short-nap (1/8” to 1/4”) cover that won’t leave a pronounced texture. For slightly rougher materials such as light stucco, concrete and rough wood, a medium nap (3/8” to 1/2”) will do the best job. A long-nap (3/4” to 1-1/4”) cover will push paint into the deep valleys of rough surfaces such as concrete block, stucco and brick.
In some situations, a paint pad offers advantages over a roller. Since pad applicators lie flat on the surface of the wall, they don’t spatter like rollers can. A pad can also be used to cut a neat line where the wall meets the ceiling or another wall.