What Kind of Roller Is Used for Oil Paint?

Roller Cover Material

• Paint roller covers may be constructed from three primary types of material, including natural fibers, synthetic fibers and blended fibers. Synthetic fiber roller covers, such as those made from nylon, polyester or dacron, are good for use with latex paints. Natural fiber roller covers, such as those made from lambswool or mohair, work well with oil-based paints. Blended fiber roller covers, such as those made from a blend of wool and polyester, do well with both latex and oil-based paints.

Roller Cover Nap

• The roller nap, sometimes referred to as the pile depth, refers to the thickness of the roller cover material. Different manufacturers use different terminology to describe the nap. Some use the nature of the wall surface to describe the nap for their rollers, such as very smooth, smooth, semi-smooth, rough or very rough. Other manufacturers use depth measurements such as one-fourth, three-eighths or one-half inch. You should consider the condition of the wall you are painting when you purchase your roller covers.

Paint Roller Skeleton

• The paint roller skeleton is the hardware that holds the paint roller cover. The skeleton and cover combined are referred to as the paint roller. The paint roller skeleton has two primary parts: the handle and the cylinder. The handle is the part you hold while the cylinder is the part that holds the roller cover. Select a paint roller skeleton that is sturdy, with a cylinder that rotates easily, and a cage that holds the roller cover firmly in place. You have no need to purchase different paint roller skeletons for latex and oil-based paints. You can use the same skeleton for both types of paint. Look for a handle with a threaded end, so you can attach an extension pole for those places that are out of reach.

Size

• Paint rollers come in different sizes to handle different jobs. A 9-inch wide roller is common for applying oil-based paint to a broad surface, such as a bedroom wall. You can find rollers as narrow as 1-inch wide for delicate projects and tight spaces. Some specialty rollers come in widths of 18 inches or wider, but you'll also need a special-size paint pan to take advantage of these oversize rollers.