Is your paint roller struggling to roll smoothly? Find out how to use your roller properly and avoid sliding!
If your paint roller isn’t spinning, there’s a few techniques you can try to solve this problem! To apply paint properly with a roller, apply gentle pressure and don’t overload it with paint. If you’re having trouble keeping the cover on, adjust the tines or adhere the cover directly to the roller!
Table of Contents
Why Does My Paint Roller Slide?
It’s a common problem for a paint roller to slide instead of spin. Find out how you can avoid this during painting!
Too Much Pressure
If you’re using too much pressure while you apply paint with the roller, it can cause the roller to slide. All you need is a gentle push for the roller to spin properly and coat the surface.
Too Much Paint
It’s possible for the roller to slide if it’s soaked in a lot of paint. Too much paint will prevent the roller from sticking to the surface and will cause sliding.
You can tell if there’s too much paint on the roller from excessive dripping as you move the roller from the paint tray to the surface.
Slick Surfaces
If the surface you’re painting on is too slick, it will be difficult for the roller to grip. There are specific paint rollers like this that are made for laminated surfaces.
You can also sand the surface before painting or use a gripper primer before applying the roller.
High-Quality Rollers
Make sure to use a high-quality paint roller to avoid sliding! It’s recommended to use a roller with a cover made from a versatile blend of natural wool or polyester.
Cheaply made rollers will be more prone to sliding on surfaces instead of spinning. They’re also more prone to falling off and can fail to aid even coverage.
How to Use a Paint Roller Properly
Learn how to use a paint roller properly! Follow these steps to keep the roller from sliding.
Dampen the Roller
When you’re coating the roller, make sure to dampen it first with water or latex paint. Press out any excess moisture before dipping the roller into the paint.
Move the roller back and forth through the paint until it’s completely coated. Be careful not to get an excessive amount of paint on the roller!
Zig-zag Technique
Roll the paint in the shape of an “M” on the surface, creating a zig-zag pattern. Without lifting the roller, turn it horizontally and repeat the same zig-zag patterns.
To avoid leaving a mark on the wall, lift the roller slowly off the surface when you finish painting an area. Repeat the zig-zag pattern until the surface is completely coated.
It’s recommended to start with a paint stroke that moves away from you, so, if you’re painting on a wall, your first stroke should be up!
How to Keep a Paint Roller from Sliding off
Here are a few ways to keep the cover on your roller and prevent it from sliding off while painting!
Adjust the Tines
Most rollers have tines that help the cover stay put while painting. If the cover is frequently falling off, try adjusting the tines to keep the cover in place.
You can use pliers to adjust metal tines, but it’ll be more difficult to adjust ones made from plastic. Plastic tines can break easily, so try another method to keep the cover on!
Glue the Sleeve
Use a gentle adhesive to keep the cover in place! Kid-friendly glue like Elmers is strong enough to adhere to the cover, but won’t permanently fuse it to the roller.
When you’re done painting, just pull the cover off the roller to disjoin it from the glue.
Change Your Rolling Technique
Your cover could be falling off because of your rolling technique. Make sure to apply even pressure while painting to keep the cover in place!
Don’t press too hard and try different angles if you’re using an extension pole to keep the pressure even.
Final Thoughts
There are a few reasons why your paint roller is sliding and not spinning properly! The number one cause of this common problem is excess paint.
Too much paint will result in the roller sliding instead of gripping and spinning on the surface. Coat the cover with just enough paint so that none is dripping when you lift the roller from the paint tray.
It’s also recommended to apply light pressure while using a paint roller and to find a roller that works for slick surfaces.
Keep the cover on the roller by adjusting the tines or adhering it directly onto the roller with gentle glue.
If you have any questions or concerns while using a paint roller, contact your local hardware store for help!
