
Well, you are looking to buy best paint roller for smooth finish.
Because, it is difficult to paint. Seriously difficult.
This is why many people will call in experts to tackle whatever project they have on the table.
However, if you absolutely need to do the job yourself (or you are an expert), then you are going to need a quality paint roller.
So, how do you find a paint roller for smooth finish? We are going to tell you on this page!
When we wrote this page, we went through all the different types of paint roller to come up with a list of seven of the best. The products here have been chosen for the quality that they boast (i.e. the smooth finish they give), as well as the price that they come in at.
We have made sure to choose only the top paint roller brands here. So this way people know that they are getting value for money.
Top 7 Best Paint Roller for Smooth Finish Reviews
Well, here are 7 paint rollers for smooth finish reviews, you can read. So these 7 products are perfect, best and top. Our research team picked these products by checking lots of factor. So you can rely on these products.
1. Purdy 9″ Dove Cover – 4 Packs Smooth and White
Purdy make the best paint rollers on the market. There is no need to own a Purdy paint roller for this set of 4 either. All that is required is a 9″ roller, although for the best finish always opt for Purdy paint rollers.
The main benefit of the Purdy 9″ Dove Cover is just how smooth the finish is. Even until the last use of these (they will last an age), there will always be an incredibly smooth finish on the wall or ceiling. So it is surprising just how much paint they are able to hold too. As a result that means that there will be less time spent ‘refilling’ the paint roller. So this is a common problem with some of the cheaper brands on the market.
We Love
- Best brand on the market
- Holds lots of paint
- Smooth finish every time
We Don't Love
- May be expensive for some
2. Wooster Brush R235-9 Micro Plush – Best Roller Cover
Wooster products are also made by Purdy, so a purchase of these will give exactly the same quality. This particular product is used heavily in the trade, which means that it has been proven to stand up to long term use, which is ideal.
The Wooster Micro Plus Roller Cover tends to work exceedingly well with enamel paints. It will give a fine finish each and every time with them. However, there is absolutely no reason why this can’t be used for other types of paint too. So couple this with a good paint roller and it is going to be one of the best paint rollers for walls. One of the major benefits of this type of roller is that it does not shed. This means that there is no need to worry about little pieces of paint roller getting stuck in the finish. Again, a problem with some of the cheaper brands on the market.
We Love
- Quality build. Made for daily use
- No shedding
- Smooth finish every time
We Don't Love
- May be on the expensive side for some
3. Purdy 140624052 Jumbo – Ultra Mini Roller
These are mini rollers, which means that a 4.5” paint roller will be required. However, if a person is going for the smoothest possible finish, then it would be tough to find something better than these.
This Purdy mini roller has been designed for use with all paints. It has been constructed with microfiber, which means that there is no issue with small chunks breaking off. While the primary intention of this mini roller is to give a smooth finish, it is possible that a person does not require the smoothest of finishes. So this means that with the right work of the wrist, a slightly less smooth finish can be obtained.
Since these are Purdy rollers, they are going to last an age. So they are used by the trade extensively.
We Love
- Used by the trade
- Smooth finish
- Smaller size for detailed work
We Don't Love
- Costly
4. KingOrigin Premium 4″ Paint Roller Kit
This roller kit does not actually have a brand attached to it. However, that does not mean that it is terrible. For a person looking for a paint roller for smooth finish but is not willing to spend huge sums of cash (i.e. they need it for a quick job), you would be hard-pressed to find something better than this.
Everything required to get painting is included in the kit. A paint tray would also be a great addition to this, although not required. There are several different roller covers which means that the purchaser is able to choose the exact roller they need for the job. While this is not exactly the best paint roller cover set on the market, it is the best when it comes to the lower end, and sometimes that is all that people require.
We Love
- Everything required is included in the kit
- Multiple roller types to find the perfect one for the job
We Don't Love
- Ideal for quick jobs.
5. Shur-Line Mini Foam – Mini Roller Refills
Shur-Line offer some of the top foam rollers on the market. While the market for microfiber foam roller covers is dominated by Purdy, Shur-Line takes the foam rollers.
One of the major benefits of foam rollers is that they take on a lot more paint, which means that there will be more time painting and less time coating the roller. This is often best paint roller for emulsion simply because of this. It allows quick and easy application, particularly on interior walls. The small size of these foam rollers means that they are going to be ideal for detail work.
We Love
- Quality foam rollers
- Ideal for detail work
- Will not break on yourself
We Don't Love
- Small
6. Tarvol 4″ Paint Rollers – Cheap Paint Rollers
These foam paint rollers come in a little bit cheaper than the Shur-Line ones, although these are still rated for use in a professional environment, so no need to worry about that.
These are incredibly soft foam rollers, which makes them ideal not only for giving a smoother finish but also for working long periods throughout the day. Many of the people who use Tarvol rollers note that there is less fatigue. These are machine washable so they will lost a long time. Ideal for those who are painting with latex paints.
We Love
- Machine washable
- Incredibly soft
- Designed to reduce fatigue
We Don't Love
- Won’t last as long as Shur-Line products
7. Stanley Home Paint Kit – Top Pick
The final product to show you is this Stanley Home Paint Kit. It comes equipped with everything that is required to start painting. While the paint rollers included are not the highest quality on the market, they can easily be swapped out for some Purdy rollers when the supply has been exhausted.
Included in this package, there is a metal tin, some paint scrapers, and some rollers (as well as the roll cage), which means that there is more than enough available to tackle a room or two. Since these have been built by Stanley, then people are guaranteed to be getting something of a high quality without the high price.
We Love
- Good starter kit
- Perfectly smooth finishes
- Can easily be upgraded
We Don't Love
- Not the highest quality on the market
Buying Guide
It isn’t going to be easy to find the best paint roller for smooth finish. There are a lot of different products on the market, and there are a few things that you will need to think about first.
Brand
Always begin with thinking about the brand of the product. Reading the ‘top brands’ section of this page would be a great place to start.
This is because there is a lot of demand for paint rollers, and when there is a lot of demand for something, a lot of companies want to sell them. This often means that some companies sell cheap and low quality products in order to try and grab some market share. These products need to be avoided. They are not going to be any good. In fact, low quality products suffer from two problems:
– They are more likely to break, which will result in bits of paint roller being mixed up in the finish.
– They hold less paint.
Size of the Paint Roller
It is likely that a person looking to buy a paint roller will have a frame in place already. It is important that a roller is selected which fits that frame. This is normally going to be 4.5” or 9”, although there are other sizes available on the market too. For example; there are larger ones that are built more for ceiling painting, although these are tougher to acquire.
The size of the paint roller will dictate the type of jobs that can be tackled with it. For example; the best paint roller for walls will not necessarily be the best paint roller for dealing with skirting and the like.
Type of Roller
There are several rollers on the market for helping people to get that smooth finish. Ideally; a person will want to opt for either a microfiber roller or a foam roller. These are the only ones that will give the smoothest possible finish. Never go for a wool roller. While they can feasibly hold a lot more paint than other rollers, they are going to give a ‘bumpier’ finish which is never going to be ideal.
Type of Paint Being Used
Each roller will be rated for a specific type of paint, although unless otherwise noted, all the rollers found on this page can be used with a whole host of different paints. When searching for a foam roller, a person should always read through the types of paint the manufacturer says that it can be used with. This way the person can know whether it is going to be right for their project or not.
Softness of the Roller
While the softness of the roller will have an influence on the overall finish that the roller gives, there is a much more important reason to focus on the roller. This is about fatigue. A hard roller is going to be tough to use for longer periods of time, which is not ideal.
Different Types of Paint Roller for Smooth Finish
For a smooth finish of paint, there are just two different paint rollers on the market that should be focused on:
Microfiber
Microfiber paint rollers will arguably give the smoothest possible finish. They are not going to be the cheapest on the market, but they do give the smoothest finish. In addition to this, microfiber rollers will never ‘break’. They will wear down, but the wearing down will not result in small pieces breaking off of them, which means they are not going to ruin the finish.
Foam
These are cheaper than microfiber rollers, which is going to be handy if a person is looking to cover a huge area as rollers will be gone through like crazy. However, they are prone to a bit more breaking, which means if a cheaper foam roller is purchased, smaller pieces can break off and damage the finish. The overall finish is not going to be quite as smooth with the cheaper rollers too.
The major benefit of foam rollers, other than the fact that they are cheap, is that these rollers tend to hold a lot more paint.
Wool Rollers
Never go for wool rollers when a person is looking for the smoothest possible finish. While wool rollers can cover large areas, as they tend to be larger in general, the finish is not going to be smooth. They may be ideal for ceiling painting if the ceiling has ‘bumps’ on it, but not for much more than that.
Paint Roller for Smooth Finish Tools List
There are very few tools required for a paint roller for smooth finish. The few tools required are detailed in this section:
Paint Roller Frame
This is one of the most important components required. The paint roller frame will hold the roller. It is important that something is selected which allows the user to easily tackle the task. For example; if painting a ceiling, then a roller frame which has a long handle is important. If painting behind a radiator, then a roller with a slight offset is required.
Paint Roller Sleeve
This is what we have been talking about a lot on this page. It is the paint roller sleeve which gives the finish needed. Nobody should skimp on this, because without a quality roller, it does not matter the rest of the tools available, there will never be a smooth finish.
Paint Tray
The final component is the ‘paint tray’. The job of the tray is to hold the paint. The size of the paint tray will need to match the size of the roller sleeve to minimize the amount of paint being wasted.
Special Tips to Purchase Paint Roller for Smooth Finish
There are several things that a person needs to think about when choosing a quality paint roller. These tips should help.
Material
Only ever buy microfiber or foam rollers when looking for the smoothest finish.
Quality Brand
Never buy cheap brands unless the cheap brand has good reviews. Even if they say they are going to give a smooth finish, it is unlikely that they will.
Buy a Matching Paint Roller Frame
The paint roller frame needs to match the sleeve perfectly. If the sleeve is sliding about everywhere, there is a chance that this could compromise the smoothness of the finish.
Buy a Set of Rollers
Never buy individual rollers. Buy them in 4s or 6s (or more, if dealing with a larger project). A lot of money can be saved this way!
How to Use Paint Roller for Smooth Finish?
The following tips will help when it comes to using a paint roller for smooth finish:
- Make sure the area being painted is completely clean. Even a small amount of dust can ruin the smooth finish.
- Add paint to the paint tray.
- Roll the roller through the paint.
- Gently, and evenly, run the paint roller over the area being painted.
- Leave the area to try.
- Give a second coat of paint.
If these tips are followed, and they are very simple tips, then there will always be an incredibly smooth finish!
Best Brands of Paint Roller for Smooth Finish
Best brands of paint rollers are here. If you like to choice paint roller depend on brands, see these brands. You can rely on these paint rollers for smooth finish.
Purdy
One of the best brands on the market for smooth paint rollers will be Purdy. Since they only make painting supplies, they have spent a lot of years perfecting the process. In fact, Purdy paint rollers are the ones that are preferred by the trade and it is difficult to find a professional painter out there who does not use Purdy.
One of the brilliant things about Purdy is that they are one of only a few companies who are offering microfiber paint rollers for a smooth finish. As we have mentioned several times throughout this page; if a person wants the smoothest possible finish, then microfiber is exactly what is required, although they are a bit more on the expensive side of things.
Wooster
Wooster are basically Purdy. They produce the same products in the same factories. Bit unsure as to why there are different brand names for them here, but there are. This means that if a Wooster product is purchased, then a person will know that they are going to be enjoying exactly the same quality as they would with a Purdy.
Wooster tend to focus a little bit more on foam rollers, which are great at the cheaper end of the market, although if purchased from Wooster, everybody can still expect a high-quality, smooth finish.
Stanley
When it comes to the tool industry, Stanley are very much the ‘jack of all trades’. They try to stick their hands into as many pies as possible. It is likely that most people know them for the quality knives that they produce, however their painting supplies are also top-notch. They can often be found being used by tradesmen who want something high-quality but also do not wish to pay a ton of cash for it.
Paint Roller for Smooth Finish FAQs
Here are some common questions with answers. May be you are searching for. So lets go check these questions.
Q1. Are all paint rollers built the same?
Answer: Of course not. There are tons of different paint rollers on the market. A foam paint roller from one company may not be the same as a foam paint roller from another company. For smooth finishing, it is important that a high quality roller is selected.
Q2. Will a 4.5″ sleeve fit on a 9″ roller?
Answer: Yes, it will. However, make sure that the diameter is the same too. If it is not, then it is going to be sliding around everywhere which is really going to ruin the finish of the paint.
Q3. Can foam rollers be washed?
Answer: This is dependent on the quality of the foam roller that has been purchased. Generally speaking, it is unlikely that a cheaper roller can be washed easily. They are made to be disposable. However, a high quality Purdy product can be washed several times if required.
Q4. Which roller sleeve will give the smoothest finish?
Answer: Either microfiber or foam. There is no sense in purchasing anything else as they will not give the right finish.
Q5. Are there different rollers for different jobs?
Answer: Only really when it comes to the paint being used. A foam roller can work with both interior walls and ceilings, although something larger may be required for the ceiling!
Final Verdict of Paint Roller for Smooth Finish
If a quality paint finish roller is required, then the information on this page is a great place to start. Purchase any one of the rollers on this page and there is no way a person will be disappointed.
FAQs
What paint roller gives the smoothest finish? ›
Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4″ nap roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. Light to Medium Textured Surfaces - Microfiber rollers are best. Smooth Surfaces - Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish.
What paint rollers do professionals use? ›Professional painters typically use a variety of rollers depending on the project and surface they are painting. For interior projects, foam or microfiber rollers with a 3/8-inch nap are usually used for smooth surfaces like walls and ceilings.
What is the best roller for smooth finish on kitchen cabinets? ›A small 4” foam roller is best for painting cabinets.
The foam nap also gives you a smoother finish on your cabinets. A higher nap may leave extra fuzz or small bubbles which is not ideal for trying to get smooth surfaces. Leave the higher nap rollers for surfaces that have a slight texture like drywall.
- Use the right size roller cover. Larger surfaces need larger rollers.
- Use the right style of brush for the type of painting you are doing. ...
- Use a high-quality paint. ...
- Buy enough paint for the job.
For smooth surfaces such as new drywall, choose a shorter nap (3/16” or 1/4") to evenly apply the paint. Because a shorter nap picks up less paint, it is common for some painters to “bump up” to a longer nap for increased production.
Do different paint rollers make a difference? ›Thick or thin makes a big difference
Each roller has a different thickness of fabric or “nap”, specifically designed for different surfaces around the home. The thicker the nap or length of fabric, the more paint a roller will hold. The thicker the nap, the rougher the surface the roller is designed for.
All you need to do is mix the gloss medium into the paint on the palette, and then paint as normal. The paint should dry to a glossy finish. To achieve even more gloss, apply a high gloss varnish once the painting is finished and the paint is dry.
Why is my paint never smooth? ›There are a few culprits, including not properly cleaning the surface and picking up dust and debris, applying the paint too thick, or applying too many coats of paint over time, says Stipe. “It's important to thoroughly prep the surface by cleaning and sanding before painting,” he explains.
How many coats of paint do I need for a smooth finish? ›I recommend three thin coats of paint, but it all depends on the color and consistency. After the final coat of flat paint, sand* lightly with super fine sandpaper. Your project should be smooth and even. Remove sanding residue with a soft bristled brush attachment on a vacuum.
What finish does Joanna Gaines use on cabinets? ›Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Cabinet Paint is a water-based acrylic product designed for surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, trim, window frames and doors. It offers the hardness of a traditional oil-based paint in an acrylic formula.
How do you get a smooth gloss finish with a roller? ›
Gloss and semi-gloss paints go on better with short-nap rollers because this generates fewer bubbles when you're rolling out the paint.
How do I get a smooth finish with a foam roller? ›- Apply paint to the surface just as you would with a normal paint roller.
- Reapply paint to the surface a second time, pressing only slightly on the roller.
- Apply the roller a third time over the area without applying pressure.
Before you start a paint job, you actually want to wet the paint roller cover with water. “This primes the roller cover to soak up as much paint as possible,” Barr explains. But don't go too crazy—Barr suggests removing excess moisture with a paper towel and a good shake of the roller so it's just slightly damp.
How do you get rid of roller marks? ›Fortunately, you can remove roller marks by using a wet sponge and some sandpaper. Once your paint has dried off, rub down the surface using your sandpaper. Be sure not to get rid of too much of the paint because the only goal is to even out the coating.
Is a roller or brush better for smooth finish paint? ›Professional home painting services can tell you that, generally speaking, rollers provide smoother, more even results with less effort than brushes. This makes sense, considering the size, capacity, and mechanics of rollers allow for more coverage with fewer strokes.
Why is my paint roller leaving texture? ›This can occur when: The incorrect roller cover is used. Lower quality paints and/or rollers are used. The incorrect rolling technique is applied.
Will a second coat of paint get rid of roller marks? ›Fortunately, just as you do with your walls, you can get rid of roller marks on the ceiling by applying another coat of paint or using a fine grit sandpaper to knock down the ridges.
Do you cut in before or after rolling? ›Always cut in first then continue painting with a roller. Cut in and paint with a roller one wall at a time. If you cut in all areas first and then roll the entire room, the paint that was applied when cutting in will have dried quicker and you will be left with a patchy, uneven finish.
Should I press on roller when painting? ›Rolling demands a light touch. No matter what roller cover you're using, always let the paint do the work. Keep the roller cover loaded with paint and use only enough pressure to release and spread the paint. Pushing on the roller to squeeze out the last drop of paint will only cause problems.
What grit is best for smoothing walls? ›Smoothing walls before painting is necessary for surfaces previously painted with a gloss or high-gloss paint. For previously painted water-based paint, sand with a fine-grit sandpaper. For oil-based paint, a medium-grit sandpaper (100- to 150-grit) should be used.
How to do a smooth texture on wall? ›
Apply a skim coat.
The same technique gets rid of textured walls. A thin coat of mud is applied over the entire wall surface, allowed to dry, and then sanded smooth. Especially bumpy walls may need more than one coat. Skim coating a whole room is both messy and time-consuming.
Skim coating is where you take drywall mud and put a thin layer on top of the walls texture to get a smooth surface. This method can be used to repair drywall that is damaged or just smooth out textured walls. This is the method we'll be using to smooth the walls to prep for wallpaper.
Should you wash and reuse paint rollers? ›A quality roller should last up to 5 cycles before shedding. You can reuse it without affecting the quality of the paint application and over time it will end up paying for itself.
Are cheap paint rollers any good? ›Buying a Cheap Roller Cover
If your time is worth anything, a cheap roller cover is the most expensive tool you can buy. Cheap covers don't hold enough paint, shed fibers on your walls, and in general are a pain to use. We prefer lamb's wool roller covers, but any top-quality roller cover will work fine.
Apply Car Polish
Applying polish is the essential step to making a car shine. Car polish helps with removing scratches, minor paint correction, and restores fading paintwork. A good polish will also aid in eliminating fine swirls and improve the car's finish by smoothening out even deep scratches on the car paint.
All you need to do is spray your paintbrush with a little water before you dip it in the paint can. It will help thin the paint out as you apply it. It is my favorite tip for getting rid of brushstrokes. You can also spray the furniture piece itself with the water bottle and then apply the paint over that.
Can you roll over brush marks? ›Instead, before you dip your roller in the paint, slide the brush cover off the roller frame, 1-2 inches should do the trick. Now when you roll, the brush cover can roll right up against and over your brush strokes from where you had cut in previously.
Is there a paint that smooths walls? ›Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver for Damaged & Textured Walls is the easy way to create a perfect foundation for a great finish. Its special self-levelling formula fills between ridges and bumps and covers cracks and large areas of damage giving a smooth finish that's ready to paint.
Do professional painters use 2 coats of paint? ›So, back to the first answer: always use two coats. Using two coats of paint is our industry standard.
Should you rub down between coats of paint? ›Pro tip: Sanding between coats of paint isn't always necessary, but is highly recommended when applying polyurethane over stain or raw wood.
How many coats of paint do professionals use? ›
Professional painters usually use at least two coats of paint when adding a new color. Depending on the surface they're painting, painters may apply a primer coat before two coats of paint. Ceilings, trim, and baseboards typically get one coat of paint applying a fresh coat of the same color.
What roller is best for smooth finish with eggshell? ›Best Roller for Eggshell Paint
A microfiber roller will give the smoothest finish possible for eggshell and other flat paint sheens. Microfiber tends to be very popular with contractors as they hold four times their volume of paint to help finish big projects efficiently.
Always cut in first then continue painting with a roller. Cut in and paint with a roller one wall at a time. If you cut in all areas first and then roll the entire room, the paint that was applied when cutting in will have dried quicker and you will be left with a patchy, uneven finish.
What is the best roller for high gloss paint? ›Foam roller covers work well with oil or high-gloss latex paints, particularly on porous surfaces such as bare wood. They may not last as long as other types of rollers. Roller covers made of versatile blends such as natural wool and polyester are effective for multiple uses and different kinds of paint.
Is smooth or spiky foam roller better? ›Foam Roller Surface Texture
A smooth foam roller is a good choice for someone who is just getting into rolling because the pressure is not as intense as with a textured roller. Also, smooth foam rollers are typically less expensive than textured rollers.
Before you start a paint job, you actually want to wet the paint roller cover with water. “This primes the roller cover to soak up as much paint as possible,” Barr explains. But don't go too crazy—Barr suggests removing excess moisture with a paper towel and a good shake of the roller so it's just slightly damp.
Why does roller leave texture? ›This can occur when: The incorrect roller cover is used. Lower quality paints and/or rollers are used. The incorrect rolling technique is applied.
Are foam paint rollers any good? ›Foam rollers tend to last a shorter period of time than traditional rollers. They are excellent tools for a painter who does not perform painting jobs on a routine basis. If you are someone who only paints a room every few years, foam rollers are ideal for you.
Does eggshell paint leave roller marks? ›Often brush marks at the cut in around doors or windows, and roller marks are also quite visible with satin or eggshell sheens because the chemicals manufacturers add to the paint to give it the shine and added washability also refract light. This is unavoidable.
What are foam paint rollers best for? ›Foam rollers are often recommended when a very smooth, glossy surface is required. They can be used with both oil- and latex-paints, semigloss or high-gloss, and are a good choice for a wall of built-in cabinet doors.