How to Prime a Wall Using a Roller

Wipe the wall down with a damp sponge if you're repainting an older wall. This step removes grease, dirt and other impurities on the wall that leave behind a raised look or affect the primer.

Fill any holes on the wall from nails or screws with spackling paste. Let the paste dry. Sand away the excess that sticks out of the hole so you get a smooth wall finish. Wipe off the remaining dust from sanding.

Protect the floor in the room by covering it with a dropcloth. Tape along trim to protect the wood.

Prime the edges of the walls using a paintbrush, as you cannot reach all the way to the edges with a roller. Dip the paintbrush into the primer and carefully paint out several inches from the trim so you are able to get close enough with the roller to cover the rest of the wall.

Pour the primer into a paint tray. Mist the paint roller lightly with water before dipping it into the primer. Squeeze the roller to remove any extra water.

Roll the paint roller into the primer so all of the roller surface is covered. Run it along the grid on the paint tray to remove excess primer and spread it evenly on the roller.

Roll the primer onto the walls in overlapping W shapes to avoid creating lines in the finished primer. Continue overlapping the primed areas to get an even coat on the walls. Move the roller over the brushed areas around the trim to help blend it in with the rest of the primed wall. Allow the primer to dry fully before painting.