Painting Trim With Roller vs Brush [Which To Choose] (2024)

FAQs

Should I paint trim with a brush or roller? ›

Always use a brush to paint trim; a roller can leave lap marks.

“Paint all the woodwork first—the first and second coats—then move onto the walls,” says O'Neil. “If you toggle back and forth, your cutlines won't be as sharp. When you do the woodwork first, you can ride the trim paint onto the walls a little, then cut over it in one go.”

A quality roller will leave a smooth finish with no fibre residue and can complete your project faster. But keep in mind, you still need to cut in around the ceilings, floors and hard to reach areas that a roller cover can't reach. That's where brushes can be your best friend.

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.

Apply paint to the trim using short, horizontal brush strokes. Repeat the motion until a few feet of trim (not the full length) are covered in paint. Smooth over the series of short brush strokes with one long brush stroke.

Step 5: Apply your paint.

Typically you should apply two coats and wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat. Pro tip: Remember to remove the painters tape immediately after finishing to prevent the tape from damaging the wall or surrounding trim.

You'll only need one coat of primer, but plan on applying two (possibly three) coats of paint when painting baseboards and trim, and be sure to let each coat dry thoroughly before moving onto the next.

Do you paint walls or trim first? From a professional point of view, with interior painting, it makes the most sense to paint your trim first, then ceilings, and then your walls. It's much easier and faster to tape off trim than to tape off your walls. And you definitely don't want the hassle of taping them both.

Start painting at the top and cut in around the edges of the wall and your fixtures with a paintbrush. It's easiest to work with small sections of wall at a time, so aim for about three feet each when it's time to load up your roller. Then, paint in a vertical direction using a zig-zag pattern.

What are the disadvantages of brush painting? ›

Disadvantages of Brush Painting

Firstly, it is time-consuming, as it requires a lot of labor. Secondly, it is difficult to achieve a smooth finish. Finally, it is not suitable for larger surfaces, as it can take a long time to cover the entire area.

Disadvantages of Painting with a Roller

The rolling motion of a paint roller can be slower compared to the speed of a paint sprayer. This can extend the time required to cover extensive surfaces, making it less efficient for sizable projects like exterior house painting.

For those looking for paint rollers for a smooth finish, high-density foam rollers should be your first stop. While high-density foam rollers are great, they are not the only option.

Pollock, Frankenthaler, Klein, and Close may have created paintings without a paintbrush, but pop artist David Hockney makes paintings without any paint.

A roller also lays down a thicker layer of paint with each pass, making roller painting a better choice when coating large, smooth, level surfaces such as walls and ceilings. Consider the type of paint you'll be working with when choosing a roller for any job.

Using a roller can be an efficient way to paint larger trim. If you have narrow, fine detailed, or crown molding trim, a roller may not be the best tool for your project.

Sand the trim with a fine-grit sanding sponge. Sponges get into crevices where sandpaper can't go and apply even pressure. Then apply the first coat of paint, let it dry at least 24 hours, lightly sand it again for a completely smooth surface, and apply the second coat.

If you're asking how to paint trim white without brush marks, try using a narrow roller. Using an extender that'll slow down the dry time also helps. Rollers leave no brush marks and I find them quicker, though you still need a brush for very narrow spots, like the edges of trim around doors/windows etc.