I have a lot of painting to do and am wondering whether anhyone has had any experience with power rollers that feed paint through a tube and into the roller, saving the need to constantly load the roller. I could use a sprayer but I think that would be overkill. I saw a power roller sold for $100 which would be worth it if it actually works well. Any features I should look for or avoid? I would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!
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If powered piant rollers were a good idea, then pro's would use them.
And the pro's don't.
The power paint roller, and it's partner -- the one that sucks paint into it's own handle using manual pumping -- are at best a gimmick.
Use some of that money to get a good quality roller frame, a good tray, some tray liners, and some good roller covers. Then treat yourself to an extension handle. Finally, buy the paint that you need for a room.
Your total bill is likely to be less than the gimmick product.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
I've used two different models (both by Wagner I think). One had two speeds, one had a trigger that you'd hold to feed paint. I thought the 2-speed model was easier to use.
But if I had a whole house to paint, I'd spray. If I had 2-3 rooms, I'd roll manually.
I agree with Maam. Gimmick. I can't imagine the cleanup process, although I'm sure it looks easy on tv. If you want to make your job a little easier, use plastic tray liners and buy enough roller covers so you can throw the used ones away. Not having to clean the roller cover makes the job a whole lot easier.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
ari,
Its going to take a ton more time to cut in then to reload your roller.
The actual time it takes to reload is minimal.
Rent a sprayer, or get a Wooster roller frame (dark green) when you are in the store, roll a few in your hand and see how the ballbearings are. Past that, the better the support in the frame the longer it will last, and the cleaner and more stable the job. Dont get a 4 wire roller.
If you want faster, or an in between, model, check out a wooster 14" roller or an 18" yoke. But remember it will take time to get down the learning curve of a 18" so that might be pushing it.
-zen
IIf you really have your heart set on one, I've got one I'll sell cheap. I used it just twice ,and the clean-up takes longer than the painting does. Not fun.
I'm still looking for someone to take it off my hands, but I don't want anyone I like , or might like , to end up with it.
I appreciate everyone's comments, although I think Shep's sentiment of not wanting to burden anyone he likes with a power roller is perhaps the most damning. For what it's worth, my barber said I could have his too. Most people don't part too easily with the tools that work, so I guess I've got my answer. Thanks!
So I can't talk you into it, huh?
Having used a power roller only once, I got excited when I saw this thread because I thought someone was looking to buy one :-)
Seriously, I was hoping that someone had something good to say because after using it the one time, I've been looking for an opportunity to use it again. Many, many gallons of paint later, I still haven't found that opportunity.
That one time I used it, I was painting an empty rental and everything was getting the same color. I don't have experience with a sprayer so I didn't consider that an option. It took about a week to paint the entire condo and the power roller probably saved me about 1/2 day. If I had to clean the roller at the end of each day, I wouldn't have saved any time at all.
Give me another 3 bedroom rental, all rooms the same color and I'll bring out the power roller again, otherwise it's back to dip and roll with a 9".
-Don
I have had mixed results. I had an older model Wagner back in the early 80. It did fine until I let some guys that worked with me paint the office. They pretty well killed it. It was fine if you were doing two or three rooms and the same color. Cleanup was not too bad. Had hookup to faucet and let her rip. Would waste more water and time cleaning rollers than they cost.
Would wrap up and refrigerate the roller overnight if doing more coats/other rooms. Bought the $100 Wagner when we built the house and were putting on about 20 gal of PVA and 16 paint. Worked well and cleanup was as above. Both these were the plug-in not battery type. They had long hoses (more cleanup) but was nice to drop hose in bucket.
The battery ones where you have to pour paint into tank are a pain. I have two of them and have not used them. One was given to me to hold for BIL and I bought the other one for 13 at the PX when they were closing them out. Wife's cousin uses the battery one and I watched him and decided good roller, ext pole, and the other right stuff beats it all.
Started to use the $100 Wagner (98 vintage) and paint started coming out of botom. Put it in the trash. Curiosity got the best of me and I did an autopsy and all it was was a hole in the hose where it goes through the pump. The punp is a geared eccentric that squeezes the hose like one of those feeding tube deals.
I second the Wooster roller and trays. A good ext handle adds balance and makes the bending and reaching less of a problem.
Like others said, you do not see the pros use them.