Best way to clean a paint roller??? Please help!?

Question

We are out of paint thinner ( and I hate the smell) What is the best way to clean out a saturated paint roller? Can anyone help?

Answer 1

If you have a roller that's been soaking for a while and most of the paint is off of it but it's still wet, a great way to dry it is to give it a spin cycle. Simply attach the roller mechanism to a drill, put on the felt roller pad and turn on the drill. Be sure to lower the pad into a bucket (figure A) while it's spinning or you'll have a wet mess. The nap will be fluffy, dry and ready for another wall or ceiling.
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/pt_tips/article/0,2037,DIY_14210_2278316,00.html
You can first just form a circle with your thumb and fore finger and slide down the roller to remove excess paint then attempt the spin cycle method.

Answer 2

The problem is a paint roller will end up having a lot of paint in it, so holding it under a running faucet is a slow process at best. A real good way I found is to get a 5-gallon bucket and fill it about halfway with water. Soak the roller in that for a while and swish it around a bit by rotating the handle with the roller underwater. I have found after a while the roller is almost clean, and you can dump the water and replace it and repeat the process a few times. Another way which works is to hold the paint roller out at the end if a long handle attachment and spray it with a garden hose so the roller spins slowly and the paint spins off. You can completely clean a roller this was in just a few minutes. You can also use this method after soaking the roller in the bucket; the bucket gets most of the paint off. If you are going to be painting again with the same color in a day or two, or even a week or two, don't bother cleaning the roller at all. Roll it up in a sheet of plastic wrap and secure the ends. I have had rollers stay wet this way for months.

Answer 3

Pretty much everyone here already has the right idea, best solution when working with oil based paints, which should only be used in special applications and is otherwise just plain ignorant is to chuck the roller. If you have a job that isn't finished and you want to use the same roller the next day, make sure you have a nearly full paint pale and chuck the roller in there. This will keep your roller moist, and flexible, not dry and stiff. Almost any application can and should be done with latex based paint and primer though.

Answer 4

My last one for tonight.

Paint thinner???? Does that imply you aren't using latex paint?

I've been doing this for a very long time, and have suggestions, and no I haven't read any other answers.

If it's latex and you're going to use the same color again,,,and soon, you can wrap the roller in a plastic bag, getting out as much air as possible. You can even wet the roller with WATER to do this. That will keep the nap intact for as much as 3 days.

I often load a roller nap with the color, then wrap it if I'm using that same color again.

If it is latex and you're going to paint a darker shade or color, you can modestly rinse, roll out the rinse and use immediately.

Roller covers are so inexpensive I usually toss them, and only rinse as described above.

If you happen to be rolling oil base, the same applies in discarding. Why waste another chemical that likely costs as much as a new nap?

Rev. Steven

Answer 5

It is such a hassle to clean them, that all I do is wrap them up in plastic grocery bags and seal well by twisting the open end up. It keeps the paint on them moist, and the next time I need to use that color, I just open the bag and start painting again. I have had them stay moist that way for well over a year. Comes in handy as I'm always doing touch ups inside the house as well as the outdoor paint, too.

Answer 6

Why don't you use latex paint, and clean up with soap and water.

I don't like paint thinner either, why don't you just throw the roller away?

Answer 7

just throw it away and get a new one. however if you are still needing to use it and will be using it within the next few days to continue painting just wrap it in several bags and put in refrigerator and it will be ready to use to paint. the paint wont harden if its wrapped up good.

Answer 8

Sorry, I just pitch them out. I've heard that Downy fabric softener is good for cleaning brushes.

Answer 9

buy extras. don't clean them