You really can’t deny the fact that painting a room brings new life into it. With so many colours and textures out there, you’re bound to find one that fits. But unless you’re ready to dish out a fortune to hire professional painters, the DIY route comes with its own pitfalls. You may find your walls patchy and uneven. Fret not! We’ll show you exactly how to paint with a roller without streaks. We’ll support you through paint streaks and how you can combat them. We’ll go  through it all.

Why Does Paint Streak?

There are numerous reasons why paint streaks, but let’s find out together.

Poor Quality Paint

First and foremost, don’t fall into the habit of buying cheap paint just to save a few bucks. No matter how good your technique is, poor quality paint will ruin all of your efforts. Instead, opt for premium paint, and you’ll see the difference! Another thing; satin or gloss finishes are harder to work with. If you’re a beginner with little to no experience, we suggest you steer clear from this type.

So what should you go for instead? Paints with a low sheen or flat finish are your best friend. Even if your painting isn’t top-notch, these paints are more forgiving, and your paint won’t streak. Also, the lower the sheen, the fewer paint imperfections show up.

Poor Quality Roller Sleeve

So, you’ve got your hands on some good quality paint, and you can’t wait to start painting. Hold up! Take a look at your roller. It can be the culprit behind your paint streaking!

The final look of your paint depends on the quality of your roller sleeve and the nap size. Ideally, a roller sleeve should be made of polyester, microfibre or wool. This combination makes for the smoothest application, where your paint will go on like butter. Moreover, the paint nap size also makes a difference.

What is a roller nap anyway? It’s the thickness of your roller sleeve. Thicker naps are ideal for rough surfaces or flat or low-sheen paints. Whereas a medium nap is best to paint your walls. A mohair or short nap roller is best for trims and doors. Give these a go and see how the game changes.

Poor Technique

So now you have the best paint and roller you could possibly have. You’re daydreaming about all of the compliments you’ll receive when guests see your paintwork. Hold up! Here are a few pointers you must keep in mind.

Firstly, if you’re using water-based paint, then dampen your roller sleeve with a wet towel. This will help you get an even application. Moreover, don’t press the roller too hard against the wall. A firm yet gentle pressure will be good enough.

How To Paint Without Streaks

So we’ve covered all the possible things that could go wrong. Now that you’re aware of them let’s start with the actual process of painting.

Prepare The Room

You don’t want to mess up your floors and furniture with paint, right? So take big plastic sheets and cover your surfaces. To be extra safe, tape it in place so that it doesn’t slide under your feet. If you can get canvas drop sheets, they are even better.  Then, remove as much furniture as possible, and push the big furniture pieces into the middle of the room. Cover them with plastic wrap too.

Ensure the surface has been washed with sugar soap and the floors are vacuumed and clean. Next, wear protective gear so you don’t get affected by toxic paint fumes. There you go. Now you’re all set to start painting.

Step 1: Get An Even Surface

Before you start your painting, you must have a smooth base. A solid foundation is the key to a beautiful structure. If your walls have any cracks, flaking or chips, cover them with putty and use a primer to even things out. Also, don’t forget to rub sandpaper over your repairs to blend them perfectly with the wall. Once we have a smooth base, let’s look at the next step.

Step 2: Paint The Edges First

Start from the ceiling to paint. Once you have cut in the architraves with ceiling paint, brush an area of around 100mm thick to roll the brush up to. Then brush the walls cutting into the ceiling, and trims, once again about 100mm thick. Paint the corners precisely, and then the rest of the work becomes more manageable.

Use painter’s tape on the edges if you plan to paint your room in more than one colour. Take a paintbrush and carefully paint a streak around 10cm wide across all the corners of the wall. Once you’ve painted the outline, filling in the paint will be as easy as colouring.

Step 3: Paint The Rest Of The Wall

Once you’ve got the wall’s perimeter painted, don’t let the paint dry. Start filling in the rest of the wall right away. Take the damp roller and dip it in the paint. Invest in a painting tray so that the paint is evenly layered out.

Next, dip the roller in the painting tray and apply the paint evenly on the wall. Remember to roll off the excess paint before you paint on the wall. Or else you’ll end up with paint dripping down from your walls and creating a mess. After you paint the initial layer, take the paint roller and roll it one way while it’s still wet. Don’t use additional paint for this. Your aim is just to spread the paint layer more evenly.

Step 4: Clean The Painting Equipment

After you’re done, don’t forget to clean the paint equipment while it’s still wet. And to save money, you can wash a roller sleeve and use it again. Next, wash your equipment with water and leave it to dry. Finally, don’t forget to clean the painting dish and brushes.

And that’s about it. By following these easy and simple steps, we hope you’ll do a fantastic paint job leaving everyone awestruck. Was this post helpful? Hopefully, we solved all your queries on how to paint a roller without streaks.

Call us direct at Earles Paints on 07 4121 5202 for all the information you need, or visit us at Earle Paint Place Maryborough.

If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Now, go paint that wall!