How to prep a new paint roller
Whether painting walls or cabinets, it’s important to take a few minutes to prep a new paint roller before using it for the first time. Otherwise you can end up with a lot of little fiber hairs stuck to your new paint job…which totally sucks.
When painting cabinets I use a mini roller with 1/4″ nap to get a smooth surface. They are recommended for walls (you know, for hard to reach areas…) but I like them for cabinets and furniture too. My “paint guy” was surprised when I went in to buy them. He asked, “Don’t you end up with little particles all over in your paint?”
Well no. No I don’t. And this is why…
I wrap new rollers (that I’m going to be using for furniture or cabinets) with painters tape before I use them.
Then I pull the tape off, and with it comes all the loose hairs. Do this a couple times (with new tape) until the tape comes off clean and then you’re good to go…paint!
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Thanks for another great tip. I have a bunch of cheap laminate shelves that I’m currently using in my studio. Half of them are light wood toned with a paper type laminate and I won’t be able to afford to replace them with something nicer for a while so I’ll have to keep using them. I was thinking I’d try painting them and maybe replacing the icky cardboard backs with beadboard to make them sturdier and look nicer in the meantime. Do you have any advice for painting over the laminate so it looks decent? Some other websites I’ve looked at recommend using spray paint but I always end up with drips.
I can’t tell you what to do. The “paint guy” will probably tell you to sand a little. I can only tell you that I, do not. I clean very well and prime with a bonding primer and then paint. Since you probably have a build up of oil, you might want to clean with mineral spirits before you prime. That’s only a suggestion! Painting is such a matter of trial and error most of the time. Good luck!!!
No, I’ve never had a problem with fuzz and paintbrushes.
Sheri I haven’t used a sprayer that I can recommend. I have another one to test out and I’ll certainly post about it if I like it enough to tell you about it. I just don’t have any recommendations for sprayers at this time.
Brilliant.