Tips for Cutting In and Rolling When Painting a Wall
Today, I am partnering with Purdy Paint Tools to share with you my favorite tips for cutting in and rolling when painting a wall. Be sure to check out the video I created at the bottom of this post to see all of these tips in action! 👍🏼
Painting a room can be an incredibly satisfying DIY project, especially when you see your hard work transform a space. However, cutting in – painting the edges, corners, and trim areas – can be a tricky task that requires precision. A sloppy job can ruin the look of your walls, but with the right approach, you can achieve crisp lines and a professional finish.
Here are some tips to help you master the art of cutting in when painting a wall…
1. Choose the Right Tools
The first step to a successful cut-in is having the right tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Purdy’s ClearCut Glide Brush: Purdy’s high-quality, angled Clear Cut brush with stiff bristles is ideal for cutting in. It allows you to control the paint flow and reach tight corners with precise cut-in ability.
- Purdy’s Pail: These help you manage paint and avoid spills. I especially love the magnet on the inside of the Pail because it holds my paintbrush and provides easy access!
2. Prepare the Area
- Clean the Surface: Dust and dirt can affect the adhesion of paint. Wipe down the walls and any trim you’ll be painting.
- Protect the Floor: Lay down drop cloths or plastic sheets to protect your flooring from drips.
3. Load Your Paintbrush Correctly
To avoid drips and ensure smooth lines, load your paintbrush carefully:
- Dip Lightly: Dip your brush 1/2 to 2/3 of the way into the paint. This helps prevent overloading.
- Wipe Off Excess Paint: Gently tap or drag the brush against the paint tray to remove excess paint. You want an even distribution on the bristles.
4. Begin Cutting In
Cutting in requires a steady hand and controlled movements. Here are some tips:
- Hold Parallel: Move the brush parallel to the edge you are cutting in and lightly press the filaments into the wall. This will cause the bristles to fan out in an oval shape, or what is called “bloom.”
- Use long strokes: Follow the cut in line until the paint begins to break up and then repeat. Holding your breath during each stroke can sometimes help with control of the brush.
- Keep a Wet Edge: Keep a wet edge by applying paint a short distance away from the portion you just painted and rolling or brushing back into that wet area to prevent lap marks.
Here are some valuable tips to help you roll a wall like a pro and achieve a smooth, even finish…
1. Choose the Right Roller
Selecting the appropriate roller is key to a successful paint job. Rollers come in various sizes, materials, and nap lengths. Here’s what to consider:
- Roller Size: For walls, a 9-inch roller is the standard size, offering good coverage without being too unwieldy. My favorite roller to use on smooth walls is Purdy’s Ultra Finish roller cover in a 3/8″ nap.
- Nap Length: The nap length refers to the thickness of the roller’s cover. Use a shorter nap (1/4 to 3/8 inch) for smooth surfaces like drywall, and a longer nap (1/2 to 1 inch) for textured surfaces.
- Material: Synthetic rollers are suitable for latex paints, while natural fiber rollers work best with oil-based paints.
2. Use a High-Quality Roller Frame
A sturdy roller frame with a comfortable grip is essential for a smooth rolling experience. Purdy’s Revolution roller frames have a lightweight design and a comfort grip handle to help reduce arm fatigue. I love using it with Purdy’s Power Lock Professional Grade Extension Pole that can lock at any length, and it makes it easier to paint hard-to-reach places.
3. Load the Roller Evenly
The paint tray should never be more than 1/3 full. Dip the roller into the paint tray and roll it back and forth in the tray’s well to distribute the paint evenly across the roller. Avoid overloading, as this can cause drips and uneven application. The roller should have enough paint to cover the wall without leaving streaks or patches.
4. Work in Sections
Divide the wall into manageable sections and complete one section before moving to the next. This approach prevents the paint from drying too quickly and creates a seamless finish between sections. Lightly roll the paint up and down the wall in a slight angel and use long strokes for an even finish. Maintain a wet edge by overlapping slightly with the previous section to avoid visible lines.
5. Let the paint dry and repeat the previous steps for cutting in and rolling.
Follow these tips, and you will be painting like a pro!
Check out this video of me painting the wall in our pond house!
What space in your home will you use these tips to paint? Let me know in the comments!
I’ll bet she loved it!!! I love Purdy brushes and refuse to use any other. I also hide them from my family to keep them clean and useable!!
Thanks for the helpful tips and which useful Purdy products to buy!
So happy for you and your family with Adam’s upcoming marriage this weekend! I love your strong faith and that your children have that strong belief in God as well!
Thanks for these great tips! I think I’ll be getting some of these Purdy products for my husband, because we need some rooms painted! I’ll help too:).
Congratulations to Adam and his bride on their upcoming wedding! I’m praying for great weather and a wonderful day for you all, and that God will be glorified!
I meant to ask if you’ve heard the song, “The Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. I was reminded of it by your sweet post about Adam.
I love to follow your advice. It is spot on Always helps when someone with experience with the product gives me advice. Thanks to you. Love your blog. God bless to Adam and his bride.
Nancy
Looks great and love Purdy brushes! Great tips! Tks for sharing!
Great job and tips… I still dislike the cutting in part! Give me the roller every time!!
Traci, My husband and I are currently building a barndominium and are almost ready to paint the interior. Thanks for the helpful tips using the Purdy products. We will definitely be using some of their products.
Awesome! So excited about your barndominium! How fun!
Purdy brushes for the win! Thank you for the helpful tips! The video was so helpful!
This is a great post. I’ve never used this brand products, but will show this to my husband. He needs new brushes etc.
Loved reading what you wrote on your son. So precious. The wedding came up fast. My third child is a boy and he too was a blessing to raise and knows the Lord. God is so good. I cried in his wedding, thinking about how fast it went. My little boy, now a man married with a 3 yr. old daughter and another daughter due June 4 th. I’m so excited. Won’t be long and you will be a grandma. It’s the best. Did you find your dress?
Thanks for the great tips! Congratulations to Adam and Lucy!
Purdy products truly are the best, I’ve absolutely loved using them for all my painting projects since you first recommended them, using a great paint brush really does make a difference… congrats to Adam and Lucy, prayers for good weather and a happy and healthy marriage.
I did not know about party products until I started reading your blog. We are completely renovating a home just like the Ranch home that you did. Using these products and the techniques that you have shown us, Have been life-changing. Knowing the right brush. the right roller, the right equipment to use has made a huge difference in how we have approached our home. Without your blog, I would’ve never known about Purdy. Thank you so much
Thank you, Jen! I am so glad these Purdy products have helped you! xoxo
I am thankful for the Lord’s blessing for your wonderful son and future daughter in law. Fingers crossed and prayers going up for a beautiful day.
I read this post 2 days before our planned trip to the big box HD store to get all we needed to paint a few rooms. I looked and looked and looked and could not find Purdy and after a minute I had an aha moment, pulled out my phone and looked on the website of the other big box store *L’s and told my husband, let’s go. What I want isn’t here. He thought I was silly for wanting to go a few blocks down for what we could have gotten there but I told him about your post and said if YOU trust the product and believe in it then it must be pretty special so off we went to *L’s and got all my Purdy products!! The husband knows “Happy wife, happy life!” so he didn’t argue!! The video was amazing and the part about leaving the wet edge to blend sure did make a difference from the last time we painted! Thanks so much!