We’ve tackled common mistakes when painting on the topic of paint compatibility and home repairs. Now, we’re going over slip-ups DIY painters usually make when it comes to painting tools—particularly with rollers and brushes. Get smart and dodge these rookie errors:
Mistake #1: Using Low-Quality Rollers and Paint Brushes
What seems like a good buy because of their low prices will actually lead to more spending and stress. Low-quality rollers are prone to quicker wear-and-tear and shedding—you’ll find yourself needing to buy a new one mid-project. What’s more, they tend to leave behind fibers on your painted surface—eyesores that you’ll need to pick out and remove.
With good-quality rollers, your money goes a long way. No finding roller fibers on your new paint coat and no buying new ones halfway through. If you’re looking for a recommendation, try Fuyama rollers. They’re durable, lint-free, resistant to shedding, and have a high loading capacity. Use them for water-based, oil-based, and solvent-based coatings.
Now to make a case for good-quality brushes. Good-quality brushes will be able to hold a decent amount of paint on their bristles and apply paint smoothly. This is compared to low-quality ones that hold less and result in streaky finishes. Like with rollers, there’s also little shedding with good brushes.
Mistake #2: Not Checking for Tool-Paint Compatibility
For those new to painting, know that aside from the size and shape of your brush or roller, it’s also important to check what it’s made of and if it’s compatible with the type of paint you’re using.
Brushes with synthetic bristles, which are commonly made of nylon or plastic, are best for applying water-based latex paints. Brushes with natural bristles, made of animal hair, are best for oil- and solvent-based paints. Why does it matter? A natural-bristle brush will soak up water-based paint. This will make the bristles go limp and be very difficult to use.
For rollers, those with foam naps are best for water-based paints and cotton naps for solvent-based paints. Having said this, you will also be able to find multipurpose rollers. Fuyama rollers, for example, are made of polyester multifilament yarn and can be used for water-based, oil-based, and solvent-based coatings.
Mistake #3: Neglecting to Clean Painting Tools After Use
You already have your hands on good-quality tools, make the most out of your investment and properly maintain them so they last through several reuses. One of the most crucial ways to do so is to clean your paint rollers and brushes after use. Doing a poor job of washing your tools—or worse, not washing them at all—is a sure-fire way of making them unusable for your next project. Hardened and dried paint on your tools will definitely affect the quality of your paint job as well.
Here’s a quick guide on how to clean your painting tools:
- First, remove as much paint left on your tools as you can. Gently scrape, press, or squeeze to remove the excess. Roll or brush off whatever remains on scrap cardboard or newspaper.
- The next step is to check the paint label. It should say what solvent you should use to clean your tools as this will vary depending on the type of paint. Examples of these are water and soap, paint thinner, lacquer thinner, epoxy reducer, and others. Clean your roller or brush using the appropriate solvent.
- Once your tool is sufficiently clean and paint-free, shake off or squeeze the excess solvent and leave to dry. It’s best to store your tools by hanging them as this will prevent the roller nap and brush bristles from deforming.
Remember, it’s always to your advantage if you learn a bit about your tool and read packaging labels in full before starting a project. It’s a shame if you find out you could’ve prevented mistakes if you had taken a few minutes to get a little smarter.
Enjoy painting and hoping you can put your newfound knowledge to good use! If you have any questions or inquiries about Boysen products or painting in general, our technical team will be happy to assist you. Send an email to ask@myboysen.com or call (02) 8363-9738 local 413 to 418 during office hours for a one-on-one consultation.
