Foam roller or 1/4" rolller

dyno

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I know this has probably been discussed already but I was just wondering what type of roller to use for painting my punch out cabinet. Unfortunatley I don't have a sprayer and don't have anywhere to spray a cabinet so I have to roll it. Should I use a foam roller or a 1/4" roller? I have seen people say they use a foam roller and then someone said they use a 1/4" roller, which will give me the best results? Also I imagine priming the cabinet before painting should be done? Thanks:)
 
I know this has probably been discussed already but I was just wondering what type of roller to use for painting my punch out cabinet. Unfortunatley I don't have a sprayer and don't have anywhere to spray a cabinet so I have to roll it. Should I use a foam roller or a 1/4" roller? I have seen people say they use a foam roller and then someone said they use a 1/4" roller, which will give me the best results? Also I imagine priming the cabinet before painting should be done? Thanks:)

Prime it and use a foam roller.
 
I have used both 1/4"nap and foam rollers on cabs, and the foam are deff. the way to go. They don't seem to leave roller lines like the 1/4"nap do, and they lay the paint on super smooth.
 
A very light sanding between coats..or at least before your last coat will give a super smooth finish when using foam roller. Also one tip...when your putting on last coat use very little pressure...the roller should feel like a feather in your hand as you glide the last coat..it will prevent paint lines and give you the desired result.
 
sounds good

I have also wondered about which one to use. I have heard people using different types of primer and paint as well. What do folks recommend (brand/type) for the primer and paint?
 
What grit of sand paper should I use between coats? Also I used foam roller once before and it seems to leave little bubbles on the surface right after rolling, was I using to much pressure and what length of foam roller works best, the short ones or long ones?
 
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I have used both 1/4"nap and foam rollers on cabs, and the foam are deff. the way to go. They don't seem to leave roller lines like the 1/4"nap do, and they lay the paint on super smooth.

Really? I had the exact opposite problem. I painted my DK with about 4 coats using a foam roller and I could not get rid of the roller marks (sanding in between each coat with 220). Then someone suggested a 1/4" nap roller and after one coat of that it looked 1000X better. It leaves a little "orange peel" effect but I honestly don't notice it. Maybe it was because of the powder blue color - I painted a cab dark pink a few years ago and the foam roller worked great that time...
 
I used a foam roller on my Burgertime cab and it worked out great. I found if you roll on the paint, then with light pressure keep rolling over the same area repeatedly, it gets rid of any bubbles and really smooths out the paint.

However... After the cost of rollers and having to mask it up anyway for stencils, next time I'll just shoot it with a sprayer. I'm sure it would be way faster.
 
I used a foam roller on my Burgertime cab and it worked out great. I found if you roll on the paint, then with light pressure keep rolling over the same area repeatedly, it gets rid of any bubbles and really smooths out the paint.

However... After the cost of rollers and having to mask it up anyway for stencils, next time I'll just shoot it with a sprayer. I'm sure it would be way faster.

+1 on rolling back over the wet paint when bubble appear. That is exactly how I keep it from leaving bubbles.

If you are leaving roller marks with the foam, I'd guess to say you might be using too much pressure on the roller.

BTW, I use both the 9" rollers and the 6" (?) rollers. I use the big ones on the sides, and the shorter ones on the front and back.
 
Another problem with streaking or bubbles is you're using too much paint and/or you're not alternating your angles. Like mowing your lawn, one week you cut north to south, next weekend it's east to west, then you cut NE to SW and finally NW-SE. applying this logic to rolling helps eliminate thick or thin spots and no streaking. (Unless it's silver which is a bitch to not get any streaking with).
You basically want to dust the paint on - just like when you rattle can something. You give a light dusting of paint. When rolling I always apply a fair amount of pressure to the foam roller and spread it out as thin as I can get it. Depending on color being used you shouldnt need more than 4 coats doing it this way. Typically 3 is good.
Trying to get a 1 or 2 coat done deal is not the ideal way to roll.
 
Rolled first coat of primer today, should I put 2 coats of primer on and should I sand the primer lightly before either applying another coat of primer or paint.
 
I use foam on everything.

Foam paint brushes too, I like the finish of the foam brush over conentional.
 
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