Paint Roller Brushes: Types, Uses, and best roller brush

Believe it or not, maintenance starts before you paint. It's highly recommended to wash or dampen new brushes and rollers before first use.

Rinse brushes in water (for water-based projects) or the appropriate thinner (if you'll use them in oil paint) and shake out the excess.

For rollers, run them under water and use your hand to rub the nap - this removes any loose fibers (lint) and also moistens the roller.

A damp (not dripping) roller or brush will load paint more easily and give a smoother result from the start. Just be sure to flick or shake out extra water so you don't dilute your paint.

If you need to take a break or you're waiting for a coat to dry before applying the next, don't leave your brushes and rollers exposed to air with paint on them.

Acrylic paint can start to dry and harden bristles in just minutes, especially on a warm day. The trick many painters use is to wrap the brush or roller tightly in plastic (a plastic bag, cling wrap, or even aluminum foil)

This keeps the paint from drying out. For short breaks (an hour or two), you might even stick the wrapped brush in the fridge to really slow down drying. When you come back, the tool will still be moist and ready to continue painting without needing a full wash in between.

Just unwrap and get back to work. This tip is extremely handy for multi-day projects at the end of Day 1, you can wrap your brush/roller and use it again on Day 2 without cleaning overnight, as long as it's sealed well (for longer than overnight, it's safer to fully clean, but some pros have been known to freeze rollers or keep them sealed for a couple of days).

If you used water-based (acrylic/latex) paint, cleaning is straightforward. Begin by scraping or squeezing out excess paint from the brush or roller back into the can or onto old newspaper (a 5-in-1 painter's tool or a brush comb works great for scraping out rollers and brushing out excess paint from brushes). Then, wash brushes in a bucket of warm soapy water.

Work the bristles with your fingers or a brush comb to remove paint, especially near the ferrule (the metal part holding bristles) where paint can collect.

Rinse with clean water until the water runs clear of paint. For rollers, it's helpful to use a hose or faucet to rinse while squeezing the roller nap. There are also roller spin tools or you can put the roller on the frame and spin it (carefully, where splatter is contained) to help force paint out.

Always dispose of paint-filled water responsibly don't pour it down storm drains. Let the paint solids settle and pour off clear water, or use an old garden area. Finally, shake or spin out excess water.

You can comb the brush bristles straight and let the brush dry hanging or upright so the bristles keep their shape. For rollers, stand them on end or slide them off the frame and let them dry.

Oil paints and solvent-based enamels require solvents to clean. Use the paints recommended cleaner:

typically mineral turpentine (turps) or brush cleaner for oil paints. Work the brush in a jar of turps to dissolve the paint.

You may need to use two containers; a first rinse to get most paint out, then a second cleaner one to finish. Wear gloves and ensure good ventilation. For rollers, cleaning oil paint out is more laborious: you'd soak the roller in a tray of turps and keep squeezing out the paint.

Many people choose to use cheaper rollers for oil-based jobs and discard the roller cover after use (because cleaning a $5 roller might cost that much in solvent and time).

But if it's a high-quality lambswool roller you want to keep, it can be done just be patient with soaking and squeezing out all paint.

Never pour solvent down the drain; let it settle and reuse it if possible, or take it to a waste facility. After using solvent, washing the brush/roller in soapy water can help remove the solvent smell and residue. Then dry as above.

A brush comb is a handy tool with metal teeth that helps you detangle and clean between bristles.

After rinsing a brush, run the comb from the ferrule to tip to remove any hidden paint and to straighten bristles.

For rollers, some combs have a curved side or you can use the curved edge of a 5-in-1 tool to scrape out excess paint. This prolongs the life of your tools by ensuring no paint dries deep inside them.

Let brushes dry completely before storing, but do not leave them resting on their bristles while wet.

Ideally, hang brushes by the hole in the handle or keep them upright (bristles up) in a jar after shaping them. Once dry, you can store them in a brush keeper or sleeve - many quality brushes come with a cardboard sleeve; putting the brush back in it helps maintain its shape.

For rollers, once they are fully dry, store them in a clean plastic bag or wrap to keep dust off.

It's important that brushes and rollers are kept out of harsh heat or direct sun during storage, which could warp handles or damage bristles.

Also, do not store a brush sitting in water or solvent for long periods, as this can bend bristles or swell the wooden handle.

If cleaned properly, a high-quality brush can last for dozens of projects. You'll know it's time to retire a brush when the bristles become too frayed or it starts losing a lot of hairs.

Rollers can also be reused multiple times a quality synthetic roller might paint many rooms over its life. Eventually, though, rollers might get matted or the ends get worn, leading to streaks.

Given their moderate cost, many people replace roller covers more frequently than brushes. Frames and poles should last virtually forever if kept clean (just wipe down the frame and pole after use to remove paint drips and they'll be fine).

Taking care of your painting tools might add a bit of time at the end of your day, but it pays off. You'll save money by reusing your best paint brushes and rollers across many projects, and you'll ensure that every time you paint, your tools deliver a smooth, professional result.

• How to Maintain Painting Equipment and Tools