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The right paint roller or brush can make painting easier and help achieve a smooth finish.
The Bunnings team shares expert tips on what to consider when choosing the right tool for your painting job.
Think about what you need to paint
Choosing between a paint brush and a roller depends on the task and the surface you're painting.
“When you are painting a door, for example, a brush and roller play very different roles,” says Roy Pugliese, Bunnings team member and paint expert.
“The majority of the work is done by the roller. A paint brush is used to paint those areas that are difficult to reach or for cutting in the architrave.” "Cutting in" refers to carefully applying paint along an edge such as a skirting board or door frame.
Eric Lara (@EricL), one of our Bunnings Workshop D.I.Y. experts, says it’s also important to consider the texture of the surface you are painting.
“Brushes are better for surfaces with textures or unevenness, such as bricks or detailed woodwork,” he says. “Rollers are ideal for smooth surfaces, as they can cover large areas more efficiently without leaving brush strokes.”
He adds the quality of your brush or roller can play a large role in achieving a smooth finish.
“Think about the quality of your brush or roller. Many people skip this important element. A superior brush or roller will produce excellent results. A cheap brush can leave streaks and loose brush hair along the way. The same can be said for a cheap roller - it can contaminate the paint surface with loose fibres.”
How to choose a paint brush
Roy explains there are three main elements to consider when choosing a paint brush.
“First, look at the length of the handle," he says. "The shorter the handle, the better the perceived control.
“Secondly, a brush’s bristles are usually either cut straight or at an angle. There isn’t a noticeable difference in terms of the effect produced. Whichever one you use is based purely on personal preference.
“There are different widths of brushes too and the one you choose should be dependent on how big your painting job is. A 50mm brush typically does the trick.”
Workshop D.I.Y. expert Mitchell Mclean (@MitchellMc) also says it’s important to consider the brush’s quality.
“You might like to invest in at least a medium-quality brush as the better the quality, the better the finish you'll achieve. I'd suggest something like the Monarch 75mm Cutting In And Framing Synthetic Paint Brush.”
How to choose a paint roller
When choosing a paint roller, Roy says "the main thing you’re looking for is the length and texture of the fibre material on the roller cover, which is also known as the nap.”
He explains different nap lengths are suitable for different types of paint finishes.
“If you are painting a wall or a ceiling using matt or low-sheen paint, I would recommend a roller with a 10-12mm nap. However, if you are using gloss or semi-gloss paints, you would want either a high-dense foam roller or a roller with a 3-5mm nap”.
Roy adds it is also important to consider how thick the nap is.
“The thinner the nap, the smoother the coat of paint will be. However, thinner nap rollers don't hold as much paint. So if you’re working with low-sheen and matt paints, I recommend going for thicker naps so you get the job done faster.”
He recommends going for microfibre when choosing the roller’s nap material.
“Microfibre is king because it doesn't shed like polyester rollers and it gives a very smooth finish,” he advises.
More help and inspiration for your painting project
For more painting advice, have a look at our guides How to paint like a professional and How to choose the right paint for the job.
Check out the Top 10 most popular painting projects shared by Workshop community members for inspiration.
The Bunnings Workshop community is here to assist if you need more help with your painting project. Don’t hesitate to ask a question.
