Supplies Needed to Paint a Textured Wall

Tape

• A textured surface makes cutting a smooth line along the ceiling edge, windows and trim in a room difficult. Using tape allows you to butt up next to the surface without inadvertently spattering unwanted paint. Masking tape offers adequate protection but may damage the finish under the tape. You may want to use painter's tape instead. This tape is designed to stick and protect the surface from paint spatter, yet it can be easily removed without harming the taped surface.

Brushes

• Brushes are used to paint areas a paint roller can't reach. Because of the rough surface of textured walls, dabbing the paint onto the surface rather than brushing is sometimes necessary. Using a quality brush will limit lost bristles. A quality brush should have bristles that are longer than the width of the brush with bristles that are firm but soft to the touch. Hold the brush before purchasing; it should feel comfortable in your hand. A 2- to 2 1/2-inch angle sash brush allows enough coverage from a trim for a roller to reach.

Paint

• Choose the appropriate sheen of paint for your textured walls. A flat paint doesn't have a sheen and doesn't reflect light. In most cases, a flat paint is more forgiving and hides defects and blemishes better than a glossier paint. Eggshell provides a low-lustre sheen and offers good coverage on most decorative surfaces. Higher sheen paints, such as satin, semi-gloss and gloss, are best suited for smooth surfaces.

Paint Pan

• Paint pans, or trays, are designed to be used with a roller. The paint is held in a reservoir at the bottom of the pan. The tray is used by dipping the roller cover into the paint and rolling it over the built-in grid to evenly distribute the paint. Trays are available in a disposable foil or reusable plastic and aluminum. The bucket and grid system is another option. The paint is poured into a 5-gallon pail, and a metal grid hangs on the side of the pail. The roller is dipped into the paint and rolled onto the grid to evenly distribute the paint.

Paint Roller and Cover

• Paint roller frames come in three basic sizes. A 6-inch roller is commonly used for smaller areas. The 9-inch roller is the most common and is considered standard. The 18-inch roller covers larger areas, but finding compatible roller covers is more difficult. Use the correct size roller cover nap when painting a textured surface. Smaller naps are best suited for smooth surfaces. A 1/2-inch nap works well for most textured surfaces. You can use a 3/4-inch nap when working with very rough textures such as popcorn or acoustic.