How to choose a paint roller?

Are you wondering what thickness and what type of paint roller to choose for a successful project? There are indeed many different thicknesses of rollers and different roller materials available on the market, and each has its purpose. There are 3 questions to ask yourself to choose the right roller:

1- What finish will I use?

2- On what surface will I apply the paint?

3- What viscosity is the paint?

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1- What paint roller to choose according to the paint finish?

Why is this important? Because a glossy finish lets the "roller strokes" appear much more, it is therefore appropriate to choose the right roller to avoid biting your fingers every time you look at your room.

The following guide will help you select the right roller:

For a gloss or semi-gloss finish, microfiber is your best choice due to its finer fiber among all rollers.

For satin, eggshell and matte finishes, your choice may be a standard lint-free roller with a more open weave (better absorption and better release), such as our 964 series. It is also possible to take a more economical lint-free roller like our essential series, since the finish is less visible due to its brightness. But still, microfiber rolls are a great choice, even with these finishes.

What about foam rollers? They can be useful for gloss or semi-gloss finishes where the situation indicates it (especially when the surface is smooth).

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2- What paint roller to choose according to the surface?

For your paint to be properly applied, depending of the roughness of the surface, the right choice of roller thickness is important. The rule is simple: the smoother the surface, thinner your roller will be. The rougher the surface, the more we will opt for a thick roller.

The following chart will help you select the right roller thickness:

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3- What paint roller to choose according to the type of paint?

Do you find that some paints apply better than others? This is explained by the viscosity of each grade / quality of paint.

What is the viscosity of paint? It is the density or thickness of the paint. The more a paint has a high viscosity, the more it will resist its application. High viscosity is normally found in "paints and primer" products.

How does a brush or roller react to viscosity? Applicators have two basic functions: absorption and release. Absorption and release capacity is influenced by:

- Its material (Nylon, Polyester, Polyamide, etc.)

- Its manufacture (its type of weaving in the rollers, its design in the brushes)

- Its density

Some applicators are therefore designed to perform better with high viscosity paints. The chosen material will be stronger, given the weight and resistance of the paint. Its construction and density will provide enough space needed to hold the paint, not too tight (which will prevent releasing) and not too much space (which will prevent absorption). Following this logic, certain combinations are used for different types of paint.

How to choose your brush and roller according to the viscosity? As you can see, it can be difficult if not impossible to navigate as a consumer. This is why Chidaca offers a charter to simplify the selection:

On our website, and soon to be printed directly on our products, the selection guide directly answers what type of paint viscosity the applicator is designed for. This innovation will allow the consumer to choose the perfect tool every time and at a glance.