How to Choose the Right Rollers and Brushes

• Natural: Natural Brushes are used for oil-based paints.
• Synthetic: FrogTape^® works best with latex or water-based paints which are best applied with synthetic brushes. These brushes keep their shape and maintain stiffness no matter how much water they're exposed to.

• Smaller, angled brush is for cutting and trim work.
• Flat brush is great for molding.
• Larger brushes are used for painting corners or when you're covering larger surfaces.

• Tug on the bristles. If one or two bristles can be pulled out, the brush is poorly made.
• Hold the brush by the handle to make sure it feels comfortable in your hand.

• If you have a large, flat area to paint, like a wall or ceiling, rollers are a great option. A smaller roller is great for trimming or narrow areas, while larger rollers are great for interior walls or ceilings.

Smooth surfaces, like a wallboard, smooth plaster, wood or metal = Short-nap roller Rougher surfaces, like stucco, concrete brick or rough wood = Longer-nap roller.

Gloss and semi-gloss paints go on better with short-nap rollers because this generates fewer bubbles when you're rolling out the paint.

•  Squeeze the roller cover. If the roller cover returns to its original shape, it's better quality.
• Choose a plastic "cage." A plastic cage can stand up better to the job and it's easier to clean.

• Cheaply made rollers can leave fibers and lint behind on the painted surface.