How to Determine the Nap of a Paint Roller

Not all paint rollers are created equal. Length is important since a longer roller covers more wall space and holds more paint, while smaller rollers can get into tighter fitting areas. However, the nap of a paint roller is equally as important as its length. The nap, or the thickness of the paint roller fuzz, is different on each kind of roller. The longer the nap, the better the roller is at painting textured surfaces.

Ruler

Instructions

- 1
  Set your paint roller on a flat surface.
- 2
  Hold a ruler up to the nap of the paint roller to find out how thick it is. Most paint roller naps run between 3/16 inch to 1 1/2 inches thick.
- 3
  Determine what kind of surface your nap is best for. Thin naps, about 1/4 inch thick, are good for smooth surfaces. Naps that are about 3/8 inch are good for smooth to lightly textured surfaces. Naps that are 1/2 inch thick are good for medium rough surfaces, like most walls, and 3/4-inch naps are good for textured walls and ceilings.

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