Which paint roller cover should I use for my walls? I have one-inch nap covers.

Question: Which paint roller cover should I use for my walls? I have one-inch nap covers.

One-inch nap paint roller covers are those big, fluffy monsters that are used mainly for very uneven and bumpy surfaces. Unless that describes your walls, return them to the store immediately.

Answer: The thick-nap paint roller covers are a nuisance unless you're dealing with a surface that really needs it (usually painting ceilings, and more specifically that cottage-cheese or popcorn style surface). So, stay away from them if at all possible. These paint roller covers will suck up all of your paint and give you sloppy paint coverage.

Quarter-inch roller covers feel almost like they are covered in velvet--very flat and hard. Most walls have too much texture to be adequately covered by the 1/4" roller covers. Only the smoothest of smooth materials (Masonite, for example) will accept paint from 1/4" roller covers.

What to do then? Naturally, the middle road. Three-eighths inch (3/8") and half-inch (1/2") paint roller covers are found in abundance: you can buy in bulk and save. But be careful of cheap roller covers with cardboard spindles. They may give you more trouble than you would like.

Tip: pick up a pack of latex gloves. Even if you don't like using them while painting your walls, they are great for removing paint-soaked roller covers from the roller units.